Gates

The gates at Govier's Lane Crossing have been mentioned before on this blog. In March this year we had the opportunity to try the gates for ourselves. Thus it was that Matt in his wheelchair, pushed by me, made our way up the steep ramp from Harbour Road towards the first gate.

I opened the gate towards me without any difficulty, made a gap and pushed Matt through. But I didn't expect the gate, a heavy one, to close on me quite as quickly as it did. I'd normally leave a foot or my rear end to catch the gate and thus manage the collision with me. This time the gate caught me out and caught my calf. A mere bump for me. But for someone with ailing legs it could have hurt.

We found plenty of room to stop and check each way before crossing the track and likewise plenty of room to stop, well clear of the track, to size up how to negotiate the far gate. This one opened away from us and proved tame. Once through, we did rather wonder what the fuss is all about.

The gates can be opened; there is plenty of "refuge room" before and after crossing the track; and the trains are required to slow to 10mph well before the crossing so if there was an obstruction on the crossing the train could be brought to a stop safely.

In fact the crossing is rather better in many respects to many others around the country.

We understand the Railway has applied for permission to replace the current setup with a chicane shaped, gateless design.

Earlier in the day during our walk from Washford to Watchet along the Mineral Line path we did encounter a new gate that gave us concern.

The new gate stands across the much improved surface of the path at the east end of the Washford Playing Field. It is a "kissing gate". You know, you push the gate slightly, step into a refuge area, swing the gate behind you and step out the other side. If the gate is wide enough and the refuge large enough, a wheelchair can get through. Not easy but possible. But this one has a very limited refuge space. We got round it on the day because the fence on one side had not been completed so a slight diversion over some rough ground and we were away...

I have, eventually, contacted the Mineral Line Project people who tell me the gate can be opened right back, revealing a wide gap right through with no need to use the refuge. We may not have looked carefully but it did not seem to work like that at the time. I have asked a few chums to go and check it for me.

If the MLP folks are right, it then begs the question why have a gate at all? Exactly who or what is the gate meant to halt progress along this lovely walk?

Update: Now checked and the gate does open wide (towards Watchet). It rises to enable it to close by gravity and is not easy to hold back whilst the wheelchair is moved through. Indeed a lone wheelchair user going towards Watchet may find nigh impossible to both hold the gate AND wheel himself through. Going towards Washford the gate becomes a barrier. The wheelchair user must get right next to the gate in order to pull it towards him, assuming he can reach that far forward. Then, whilst holding the gate, somehow reverse, then hold the gate to the left before moving forward through the gap, with the gate closing rapidly behind (it's sure to crash into the wheelchair). I have asked for the gate to be removed as, since the gate can be opened wide, there seems no point whatsoever in the gate being there. [13 May 2011]