Occupation crossings on heritage lines

Does anybody know the regulations concerning occupation crossings potentially being used by cars towing caravans etc. Is there a set distance from the running lines where the road approach has to be level ?

Bob.

 

Open the link provided by Steve in the Platform Height thread. Page 45 Level Crossings provides a further link to RSPG part 2. Go to Section E Guidance on Level Crossings. This might be useful.

 

When you say potentially being used, is this a change of use? Eg from what used to be used by only farm vehicles to now being used for a caravan site?

 

Hmmmm

Intensification is an important concept here

Anyone can get a site licence for five vans without it constituting a change of planning, so it could be said that if a site is a CL (Certified Location) then accommodation crossings could be used without further ado.

If however, planning consent has had to be obtained for use of any property as a leisure business, then that would most definitely be a change of use and the railway would be quite right to check back on the original uses permitted over the accommodation crossing, and bar, or apply conditions for, the new use.

Modern farm machinery, big John Deeres and combine harvesters strangely enough don't constitute intensification - unless a weak bridge is involved - but changes of use requiring formal consent most certainly do.

Check the title deeds and current LRO

 

It has only been used previously for agricultural purposes, but the idiot who owns it has vision of building a footbridge over the River Dee from his hotel to this field (not a hope in hell !) He can then create his campsite.
The approach to the field is down a very steep drive with a virtual right angled turn across the railway at the bottom, together with train sighting problems.

The approach from the field to the railway is a steep roadway , the top of this slope finishing at the first running rail. This would create one hell of a problem should something stall when a train is approaching.
This clown is the person responsible for preventing photographers from using the field to photograph trains, so any technical advice to thwart his plans would be appreciated.

Bob.

 

May I respectfully suggest that no matter how impractical the plans of the gentleman in question, and how righteous your outrage with them, your case, and that of your railway will not be well served by calling him names in public forum.

I would suggest writing to or talking to the person in question to ascertain fully his plans, from that you will be better placed to politely advise him of your concerns. I would talk to the local planning department about the permission required. If not then the other advice on the page is appropriate, and the ORR may well be able to help too.

 

You definitely need to talk to HMRI for advice but I fear that the problem with safety at the crossing is going to be down to you. There are numerous instances of such crossings seeing more use over time and, unless the planning authority stipulates that the developer upgrades the crossing as part of the planning permission, the Railway is going to carry the can.

HRA is another useful source of advice but level crossings are a minefield.

 

That suggests a solution to the problem.