To really understand what Robertsbridge level crossing would mean, we should look further afield

From: Peter Hopgood
King's Dyke Level CrossingKing's Dyke Level Crossing
King's Dyke Level Crossing

There have been a number of letters recently regarding the proposed Robertsbridge level crossing. I feel that offering some comparisons may assist people in forming an unbiased opinion on the subject.

A letter a couple of weeks ago highlighted the lack of level crossings on a number of rail routes. Curiously the most relevant local routes were omitted? On the Eastbourne to London line there are 10 level crossings and on the Hastings to London route there are 6. Taking perhaps the most relevant comparison, the Mountfield crossing on the A2100, this is a double track main line railway on the national rail network running trains 364 days a year with, on a weekday, over 75 trains passing over the crossing daily. Many of these are during the morning and evening peak traffic periods. Line speed on this section is 70-80 mph.

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The proposed crossing on the Robertsbridge bypass is a single track tourist/ leisure railway closed for three months of the year, operating weekends and bank holidays only during December, weekends and three days of one week only in October, four months (May, June, July and September) at three days of the week plus weekends and during April and August on a daily basis. On the 168 days the railway operates 10 trains would cross the level crossing (on six weekend/bank holiday days this would increase to 16) none of these trains would be at morning or evening peak traffic times. Line speed would be at the legal maximum of 25 mph.

Any delays likely due to the proposed crossing compared with a national rail network crossing are therefore not comparable.

I believe the cost of the works for the proposed crossing are to be borne by the railway company and would be miniscule compared to costs for duelling and improving the A21. If that took place I assume a bridge would be provided (as at Beddingham nr Lewes) as part of improvements for the adjoining roundabout.

The pollution from the steam railway is very small compared to the pollution caused by traffic on the A21 itself. Part of the desire for linking the existing railway to the national rail network is to encourage visitors to arrive by train thereby cutting overall pollution levels.