The Bodmin and Wenford Light Railway Order 1996

PART V— LEVEL CROSSING OF UNCLASSIFIED ROAD AT POLEY’S BRIDGE

A. Particulars of the Gates and Other Protective Equipment

1.  Two gates shall be pivoted on the right hand side of the specified road on each side of the railway as close to the railway as practicable.

2.  The uppermost surface of the main gates shall be not less than 1450 mm above the road surface at the centre of the carriageway and the underclearance between the gates and the carriageway shall not exceed 150 mm. The dimensions of height and underclearance of the secondary gates shall be the same as those of the main gates but shall be measured from the running surface of the rails at the point where they close the railway.

3.  When closed to road vehicles the main gates shall extend across the full width of the carriageway. When the main gates are open to road vehicles the secondary gates shall close off the full width of the railway between the boundary fences.

4.  Each gate shall be provided with a suitable mechanism to secure the gate in position. Such mechanism shall secure the gates in the open or closed positions and when the railway line is not being operated shall also serve to secure the gates against unauthorised operation.

5.  The gates shall be as light as possible but shall also be strong enough to prevent distortion or fracture likely to be caused by wind pressure.

6.  The gates shall be so constructed that no interstice between the constituent members thereof shall be greater than 150 mm.

7.  The gates shall be painted in white and the main gates shall each display a circular plate of Red Class I retro-reflecting material and not less than 750 mm in diameter. The plates shall be fixed to the gates such that when the gates are closed to road traffic they shall be located in the centre of the face of the gates directed towards approaching road traffic. The top rail of each main gate shall display a horizontal band of red retro-reflecting material on the face directed towards approaching road traffic. The bands shall each be approximately 600 mm long and 50 mm deep and shall be displaced from each other by a space of 600 mm.

8.  Provision shall be made for a lamp to be mounted in the centre of each gate. This lamp shall when lit show a red light towards approaching road traffic.

9.  Where the specified road passes over the crossing reflectorised edge of carriageway markings of the size, colour and type shown in Diagram 1012.1 in the Regulations shall be provided along each edge of the carriageway.

10.  A stop board of standard railway design displaying the words “Stop—Close crossing gates before proceeding” shall be provided on each railway approach, 25 metres before the crossing on both approaches to the crossing. The stop boards shall be provided with Class I retro-reflecting material or shall be illuminated.

11.  An advance warning board of standard railway design shall be provided on the southern railway approach to the crossing, 200 metres before the relevant stop board and shall be provided with Class I retro-reflecting material or shall be illuminated.

B. Conditions and Requirements to be observed by the Operator

12.  The surface of the carriageway over the crossing shall be maintained in a good and even condition. The carriageway shall be 6 metres wide.

13.  The secondary gates shall be kept constantly across the railway and the main gates shall be secured so that they are clear of the specified road except during the time when any vehicle passing along the railway has occasion to cross the specified road.

14.  Drivers shall bring their trains to a halt at the stop boards mentioned in paragraph 10 above and shall sound the train’s whistle before proceeding. Trains travelling in either direction shall not proceed over the crossing until the driver has been given a clear hand signal by the person in charge of the level crossing to signify that the gates are securely closed and locked against road traffic and that the crossing is clear.

15.  The lamps referred to in paragraph 8 above shall be illuminated whenever trains are operating on the railway between Bodmin and Wenford.

16.  The operator shall give notice in writing to the Secretary of State as soon as the provisions of this Part of this Schedule have been met and the crossing shall be inspected by H M Railway Inspectorate as soon as practicable thereafter.