Oswestry Update

Or perhaps educate crews to be aware of their surroundings.....

 

Lots done over the 'Big Working Weekend'
Lots of pictures on the Facebook page and the dedicated album.
https://www.facebook.com/cambrianheritagerailways/photos/?tab=album&album_id=989795057740701

 

Are these not level crossings which the Highway Authority installed over an existing railway? If so, they can hardly moan about greater use. The same thing seems to be happening in the Wisbech re-opening efforts.

 

At some stage in the future that section will need to be made into a dual carriageway. It should have been built as such. Are the Dee & Ceiriog viaducts wide enough for this ?

Bob.

 

I'm not aware of any dual carriageway level crossings in the UK, except perhaps in dock areas. Are they even allowed? If not, then dualling the A5 would help the railway, as a bridge would be built.

 

Nope

If the A5 requires dualling then duplicate viaducts will need to be built.

However people should note that this is quite common in the likes of France where even Autoriutes can narrow to single carriageway if the traffic volumes are low and the viaduct is big / long / high enough to increase construction costs significantly

 

The level crossings were installed on the basis that they would get occasional use by freight trains - not frequent passenger services, possibility with the expectation that they would only be needed for a decade or so until the freight flows ceased. As has also been noted there have been significant increases in traffic on the roads concerned - they would never be permitted to be built now.

 

A case of Highways England not planning ahead and taking a punt on the railway not becoming used again. Perhaps they need a study on the principles of abandonment.

 

OT slightly but a dual carriageway level crossing of sorts exists where the branch from the Vale of Gamorgan Line into the Ford works at Bridgend crosses the A48

David R

 

This weekend is the 50th anniversary of the last train to Oswestry. On Saturday 5th there will be a special event full of 60's memories. Steam trains will run along the new extension so drop in and see what has been done. Both sites will be open.

For those on Facebook there are some details of the event
https://www.facebook.com/cambrianheritagerailways/

The main website also carries details
http://www.cambrianrailways.com/index.html

 

More replacement sleepers arrive for work on the extension to Weston.
https://www.facebook.com/cambrianhe...836483236567/1103815789671960/?type=3&theater

 

Sorry for the delay in responding but abandonment cannot be establish by disuse. There has to be a positive act that signifies the intention never to use it again. The obvious one would be track lifting. Until then the presumption has to be that use could recommence at any time and be as intensive as the infrastructure allows.

 

I'm a bit weak on TWA legislation. I was referring to the planning position; that is the railway has never been abandoned and could re-commence at any time.

 

On the road improvement front the lobbying goes on.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/...it-to-see-problems-with-the-a5-in-shropshire/

By the way anyone who can present a ticket from the last day of service in 1966 can travel again from Oswestry for free. There should also be a heritage bus service between the two sites.

So drop by this weekend and see what is happening.