REVISED plans to replace a Saddleworth level crossing are being drawn up after the last one was thrown out.
Even if a ‘cheaper’ option is dismissed, Moorgate Halt will be changing – at the cost of a six or seven-figure sum.
Campaigners won a key battle in their fight to stop the ‘unfair’ closure the foot crossing, which lies on Dark Lane in Uppermill and is on a right of way.
Network Rail insists closing it is the only way the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) – a multi-billion pound scheme that will see the line between Manchester and York electrified – can deal with what is classed as a ‘major intervention.’
It told a meeting of Oldham Council’s Highway Regulation Committee replacing it with a footbridge, which previously received planning permission, would cost in the region of £4.5 million because of a unique design needed.
However, arguments against closing the crossing, which has been in place since 1845 and the right of way which has been there since the 14th century, won out.
Yet Mark Ashton, the sponsor for the Stalybridge to Diggle section, told Saddleworth Independent new plans are being devised.
He said: “Oldham Council rejected our application to close Moorgate level crossing and to divert along existing rights of way.
“What we’re looking to do is reassess that application with a view to resubmitting our proposal.
“Making again the safety case, the value of it and the value of upgrading existing Public Rights of Way in that locality as an alternate means of crossing the railway.
“We’re also looking, to potentially support that application, to potentially incorporate Moorgate level crossing into the Transport and Work Act Order, to seek support to get it closed.
“As part of the enhancements TRU will bring, there’ll be more frequent trains and faster trains, as well as additional freight trains.
“We’re changing what’s called the hazard environment. We appreciate that crossing has been there for a long period of time but the environment around it changes.
“As an organisation, we have to mitigate the safety of members of the public using that crossing – the industry’s priority is to shut level crossings where it’s feasible to do so.
“Level crossings are quite emotive, you’ll always get different viewpoints and we appreciate them. Heritage has its place.
“But we have to modernise a railway as well. We have to navigate that environment and eventually come up with a proposal that ultimately gets accepted.”
As part of the TRU, Greenfield Station will be overhauled, with a new footbridge and lifts long-awaited step-free access to the Huddersfield-bound platform.
And Mr Ashton told how it will reverse more than 165 years of deficiency since it opened in 1849.
He added: “It’s a challenge for the industry in terms of where investment is allocated and I’d say this has not been invested in as much as other parts of the network over the last several decades.
“It’s a transformational time. By the end of the decade, people who can’t access certain bits should be able to.
“Unfortunately, the network just didn’t recognise people with disabilities or those who need different considerations to get around it. In the Victorian era, it was never a consideration.
“We live in the 21st century now and we have the Equalities Act, so we have to ensure infrastructure and facilities open to members of the public have to be accessible.”
Saddleworth will also see works on the viaduct at Uppermill, with images of how it will look with a gantry and overhead wires running over it being produced.
And two bridges in Diggle – on Ward Lane and Station Road – will also be altered.
That may see closure of the track for certain days, affecting commuters, or night work as gantries are put in place.
Mr Ashton told Saddleworth Independent: “To get electrification through, Ward Lane is just too low, so we’ll have to raise the gap between the track and the structure.
“On Station Road, we’ll have to work on the side away from the Diggle Hotel. We’ll put thinner bridge decks in. If you’re stood on them, they’ll appear no different but underneath, the deck will be shallower.
“Newer materials now mean they can have hat. A lot of bridge stock now is cast iron beams and brick arches, with modern materials like steel and reinforced concrete, you can have shallower decks.
“Typically, we’ll undertake works at night but if the track’s closed for a significant time, we will work during the day as well.
“In some instances, we’ll shut the track and potentially roads but we assess them on a case-by-case basis.”
I still don’t trust this lot as far as I can throw them.
I’m not even sure from the article and all the BLAH, BLAH, BLAH whether or not the Right f Way will be protected.
As for the inflated estimates of the cost, (think of a number and multiply it by 100 ?) neither Network Rail nor the Government has yet explained what’s happened to the £65 million allocated for improving disabled access that was never spent.
I accept that Dark Lane is an ancient entrance to Uppermill, hence the name “Moorgate” leading down to High St. However, I say that the benefits of closing the pedestrian level crossing, heavily outweigh the disadvantages of continuation. Sadly, the crossing has been the site of suicides over the years. Furthermore, there are two nearby pedestrian under-bridges providing safe crossings. Only 100 metres to the west is the foot path down Wickens Clough. There is also a gradual field path from the upper stretch of Dark Lane, across to join the Wickens path. 200 m to the east is the footpath off Den Lane into Den Quarry, with an existing contour path to rejoin Dark Lane. The answer, surely, is to close the level crossing and to improve the surfaces and signposting of those adjacent existing paths.
I am a little confused regarding some of the distances quoted here. I use this crossing on a very regular basis to take me from my home on Den Lane to the golf club., For me to use the Wickens Clough route is over a quarter of a mile further – and a lot more unsuitable underfoot. The Den Lane tunnel route is around 300 yards further, though again can be extremely difficult underfoot, to the point of being dangerously slippery after rain – especially at the narrow point where it passes a forty foot drop next to the quarry.
There have been no attempts by NR to close this access previously – so to now cite safety is somewhat laughable. Not content with ruining the aesthetic beauty of our village and its features with unsightly gantries, they now wish to remove our access to these areas in their pointless quest to potentially save 10 minutes journey time between Manchester and Leeds.
An interesting comment although I’m not sure I agree with you.
I can’t place either of two underpasses to which you refer and from the way that you describe them they would both seem to be much less accessible that current route, which in my own experience is quite well used.
I think a more sensible and realistic solution is needed and that would be either a footbridge or an underpass and it isn’t as if Railtrack don’t have the money, they do..
Also 100m and 200 meters down the track doesn’t mean walking just walking an extra 100m or 200m to cross the tracks, in practice it would actually requires walking a considerable distance further on from current crossing.
The west path, down Wickens Clough, is very little longer than the Dark Lane route, and emerges next to 6, Oldham Rd, just above Wade Lock.. The east path, via Den Quarry is longer and reached via Den Lane. The users of Dark Lane are all recreational walkers, rather than going purposefully to work or school or shops. The 2 alternative paths just extend their recreation. Have an explore and you may better appreciate my suggestion. I have a map of the footpaths, but there is no facility to post it here. Best wishes. DG
I’ve also just found my map of the footpaths and the Den Lane path is much too far away to be a practical replacement, (except for what you call recreational walking,) and the other one that runs down from Moorgate Quarry doesn’t seem to me to have any easy or obvious access without having to first walk right up past the Golf Course.
So probably not really suitable ?
Good ideas nonetheless though.
Another good and interesting comment although I remain unconvinced.
I used to have an OMBC map of all the Footpaths following a previous issue, but I can seem to find it again.
The Moorgate crossing path however always seems tome to a practical and well used route when I’ve been there and not as you put it just a, “recreational,” one and indeed the last time I used I saw there was young woman with children and a pram coming the other way.
Also Railtrack have a duty to keep it open even if that involves making it safer and they shouldn’t be let of the hook.
As for suicide, sadly that isn’t just a problem with railway tracks; it’s now more than 30 years since I found the body of a young man who had tragically killed himself in a small copse of trees in some fields near Middleton.
Can’t fault the plan’s,but and its a big but it is the 21 first century the big question, will at the pace the railways work 22,23,24 ,I could go on these are century’s.
I smile to my self close this path close that path the pace the railways work you path lovers need not worry.
Has anybody seen any action recently.
I have to say somebody above looks down on the bridge near the station, because the coping stones that are hit by HGV trailer’s because being allowed to.turn right down Station Brew ,nock on to train lines and we all no what will happen. Or is it only me that recognises this?
I have indeed noticed those dislodged coping stones and their periodic resetting and pointing up clearly indicates this is a known issue. I do find it difficult to understand why no protection has ever been added for that wall to prevent articulated lorry trailers knocking anything onto the tracks or even a train – either of which would be catastrophic. Sure, I don’t believe it has ever happened but it does seem a possibility. However, I am sure that the new bridge, if built, will resolve this.
I liked your comment and it’s arguably a good point, but in the mean time Cllr. Lancaster and colleagues are currently dealing with the Footpath matter, which I sincerely appreciate.
As for the potential hazard of a HGV trailer dislodging coping stones from the bridge at Greenfield Station ?
I’m not sure how much of hazard that actually is, (possibly somewhat less even than the chance of getting hit accidentally by a train at the level crossing,) but I’m always amazed and impressed by the way the bus drivers and other HGV drivers navigate that corner.
But if you think there’s a real danger then why not contact the Council and ask for a formal Risk Assessment.