A number of pedestrian crossings along the Island Line railway track up and down the East Wight will remain padlocked for up to 4 weeks, leading to lengthy diversions for Islanders – including children going to school.
Earlier this week, Islanders took to social media to express their anger and confusion as to why decades-old level crossings had all of a sudden been padlocked, resulting in more difficult, dangerous and lengthy diversions.
South Western Railway has told Island Echo that it has become apparent that further enhancements are required to ensure the full safety of the pedestrian crossings over the tracks. It comes in the same week that testing of the new Class 484 trains gets underway.
Urgent action has needed to be taken and as a result, the crossings have been padlocked.
A spokesperson for South Western Railway has apologised for not being able to give prior notice to local residents and for the inconvenience caused to neighbours.
It has been confirmed that the required paperwork has been submitted to and approved by the Isle of Wight Council to close the crossings until 13th August. However, it is the aim to complete all the required works ‘well before’ this date.
UPDATE – The Isle of Wight Council has now confirmed the closures and acknowledges that there are no short or easy off-road diversions to avoid these closed points. However, at Brading, Quay Lane bridge can be used to get between Brading and Brading Marshes.
The current affected crossings are:
- Pig Leg Lane level crossing, Ryde – Public Footpath R52a runs between Ashey Road/ Rosemary Lane across the railway line to Nicholson Road/Great Preston Road
- Barnes level crossing, Brading – Public Footpath B69 was already closed because of the works at Brading Station and connects Brading Station to Yarbridge
- Jones level crossing, Brading – Public Footpath B36 runs between the Lower Furlongs Estate at Brading across the railway to Brading Marshes
- Vicarage Lane level crossing, Brading – Public Footpath B4 /B4a runs between Brading High Street/Vicarage Lane across the railway to Brading Marshes
This list suggests that crossings at other locations, such as Los Altos Park in Sandown, have re-opened.
How many fatalities have there bern on these crossings over the years?
There was one a year or two back to be fair, at Los Altos.
.more to point what are South Western going to do about carriages that won’t fit thru Ryde tunnel? Because they don’t do they!
Ummmm yeah they do fit!!!!
South Western Railways caught with their pants down and treating the public with utter contempt. Only after numerous complaints have they notified the council. My wife and I had to make a detour over Smallbrook Lane bridge and the dangers that poses to pedestrians. Thank you SWR!!!