A SADDLEWORTH level crossing is earmarked for closure as part of a multi-billion pound upgrade scheme.
Moorgate Halt in Uppermill has been classed as a ‘major intervention’ site in the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), which will see the line from Manchester to York electrified.
And officers have revealed the foot crossing, on Dark Lane, is on their list of proposed changes in the area.
The current footbridge at Greenfield Station will also be taken out, with a replacement with a lift in a tower to each platform – similar to what they have done at Castleford in West Yorkshire – a possible option, providing step-free access to each side.
Rachel Thomas, project director for the Stalybridge-Huddersfield section of the upgrade, detailed the Saddleworth work at a meeting of Mossley Town Council on Wednesday, February 21.
She said: “We’ve got a level crossing closure to do at Stockport Road in Mossley, then also at Moorgate Halt.
“After that, we’ll be doing some remodelling at Greenfield station, which will also provide step-free access and we’ll remove the current footbridge that’s there.
“We’ve got to attach overhead wires to Saddleworth Viaduct, knowing that’s a listed building at the moment.
“We’ll have to do that sympathetically and in line with council agreements that we get to.
“We need to electrify through Standedge Tunnel then we’ll add a third track from Marsden to Huddersfield. We’ll also remodel stations to provide step-free access at Marsden and Slaithwaite.”
The TRU has already made an impact in the form of artwork by Saddleworth School pupils being placed at Greenfield Station.
According to latest available figures, Moorgate Halt crossing – at the site of a station that opened in 1912 and closed in 1955 – is used by 33 people a day, which is considered a large number.
However, it has an individual risk rating of C, with A being the highest, and a collective risk rating of four, or high.
Issues are described as being a low sighting time, sun glare and the frequency of trains, some 139 a day.
The crossing is a definitive right of way, meaning TRU chiefs would have to liaise with Oldham Council to come up with a solution – either a bridge or a diversion of the path.
But step-free access to stations, as well as environmental benefits of the electrified line, are key reasons for the huge project as in the 21st century it ‘isn’t appropriate.’
Mark Ashton, one of the senior engineers behind the project, said: “Someone who has a pram or who has reduced mobility may not be able to get on, Huddersfield is the nearest station with an accessible platform in that direction.
“That’s not appropriate in this day and age. It’s creating a barrier to access the station, so we need to address that.”
Sounds like a good plan. And those moaning about Moorgate Street level crossing being closed can just walk up via the golf course, it’s hardly an inconvenience
As the waiting rooms are closed when the station is unmanned due to vandalism will the station office be open all the time trains are running?
How many people are expected to require the lifts per day/week?
Will the path from the Huddersfield side of the station to Oldham Rd be reopened? If that is done then lifts are not required.
Who pays for this work? A repayment bridge with lifts is £1m. There’ll be extra ongoing costs for lift support and maintenance, and possibly for extra staff at the station. Will fares be raised to pay the additional costs?
A fully accessible station is required but there could be cheaper options to what is proposed.
Doh……repayment – replacement. Predictive text!
Also it’s quoted above that Huddersfield is the closest station with stair free access but Stalybridge also has lifts and an underpass and is closer than Huddersfield. Still no help though if you need to get to Mossley or Greenfield unless a bus service is added.
Stalybridge has an accessible platform closer than Huddersfield.
I would like to see a Park and Ride option at Diggle. The old Marshalling Yard, could be used as car parking. You look at places in West Yorkshire, where stations have been reopened or created in the last 30 years. Bramley, Saltaire, Kirkstall Forge, Apperley Bridge, Low Moor, Featherstone, Outwood, Pontefract, Sandal, Stetson and Silsden, Walsden, etc. Impressive. Apart from Smithybridge, l struggle to think of anymore in the North or East of Greater Manchester. Saddleworth is poorly served by a modern railway service, with only hourly trains and poor parking in Greenfield.
A ‘Huge’ rail project would look at the issue holistically, rather than smaller issues. A new station at Greenfield could incorporate better disabled access with a level car park with dedicated parking spaces.
The patch it up solution offers limited improvement.
Two level crossings on this route have been replaced by footbridges within the past 10 years,, both on Ashton Moss to the West of Ashton.
It seems attractive to reopen the old path from Oldham Road, but as I understand the it, the gradients do not comply with wheelchair use requirements . Also, how would people park there? – Oldham Road is not suitable.
The gradient is less that the road outside the station. We could push two prams up the path. I agree about the parking but there is limited parking outside the station and only one disabled space. Remaining parking is on shaw Hall bank Rd or the rugby club.