Railway Crossing At Spalding Reopens After £250,000 Investment

Innovative technology has enabled Network Rail to reopen a railway crossing beside a new bypass bridge in Lincolnshire.

The public right of way at Vernatts Drain was temporarily taken out of use several years ago while the Spalding Western Relief Road bridge was under construction.

This bypass meant the old whistle board system, instructing train drivers to give a warning on approach, might not have been heard over the road noise.

Instead, a new system was installed at Vernatts Drain, as part of a wider £250,000 investment upgrading the crossing ahead of its reopening on Monday (31 March).

This provides a visual and audible indication to warn users of an approaching train, with an audible alarm and red/green lights indicating when it’s safe to cross.

Vinny Briggs, Network Rail route level crossing manager, said: “We had to come up with an alternative solution to what was there before, and decided to use a Vamos overlay system, which uses sound and red and green lights to give the warnings to pedestrians when a train is approaching.

“We also reconfigured the crossing, with new approaches, fencing and gates, and a telephone in case of emergency.

“By investing in new technology, we have mitigated the identified risks and improved the safety for the public if the crossing is used as instructed.”