More about Watchet crossings

A report in the West Somerset Free Press suggests the owners of the footbridge at Watchet, the local district council, may have agreed to demolish the structure. It was the council who declared it unsafe and closed the bridge in 2009. The report goes on to suggest the council are to be asked to fund the demolition and the provision of a brand new footbridge. Well, that took a bit of time for that requirement to sink in, eh?

If the OK is given it seems the footbridge - dating from the 1880s will be taken down before trains start running again on 19 February but I guess there are later gaps in rail traffic for that work; and to procure from a specialist company in Wolverhampton a new footbridge made of modern materials but to a "heritage" style. Installation would have to wait until November when the trains stop running for a few weeks.

Meanwhile, just to the east, the issue of the gates at Govier's Lane Crossing continues to exercise minds. Late last year, a meeting was held at Watchet between local people and the Railway. Representatives from the Railway Inspectorate (who lay down guidelines and approve railway works such as Govier's Lane Crossing) also attended. Some of the discussions can be seen on Admiralscorner's channel on YouTube. The outcomes are yet to be announced but the gates have been officially chained open (to pedestrians) during the current "no trains" period. What happens from 19 February when trains restart for the 2011 season has yet to be seen.

In the other direction, the Railway have embarked on a major renovation exercise on the Mineral Line Bridge. This skew bridge spans the trackbed of the erstwhile West Somerset Mineral Railway, the trackbed now forming the popular Mineral Line Walk to Washford. As far as I can tell, the Mineral Line Bridge works have not generated local comment. Good.

Going back to the footbridge, it is said the new structure will look much like the existing one, Which is good as the heritage ambience of that part of Watchet will be unaffected. Or will the design require modification to allow wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs to cross, for the first time at this point, the Railway? There is sure to be an Equality Assessment. And will the Equality Assessment require ramps as well as steps? There seems to be room for ramps but at what detriment to the view on the road approach to the town from the south and to what extra cost to the council taxpayers?

The saga of the Watchet crossings seems likely to continue for some time yet...

Crossing the Railway at Watchet

Not one but two. And both raising hackles with Watchet folk.

The Footbridge has now been closed for months due to being in need of repair. It is owned by the District Council who say they have enough money to demolish the Footbridge but no funds to repair and restore it so the Town Council was asked to find the money. The Town Council asked every household in Watchet to comment on raising the local tax to pay for the repairs. It seems most in Watchet preferred not to contribute. The matter continues. Meanwhile most people wishing to cross the Railway now tramp along the Platform at Watchet Station to the other crossing at Govier's Lane.

Now, the Govier's Lane Crossing, with the footpath traversing several tracks and sidings, has been a problem for Watchet folk since the Railway was opened in 1862 right through to the closure in 1971. With the reopening in 1976 the Crossing was provided with small red/green lights indicating to pedestrians if a train was due on the sole remaining railway line. Small gates were also provided. Over the years the gates were "lost". Recently the West Somerset Railway upgraded the Crossing to national standards. The small lights were taken away, the approach fencing modified and the gates returned. It is the awkwardness of the gates that seems to be the main focus of complaint from users of the Crossing. Certainly it is not easy for wheelchair users to open the gates. And the gates tend to clatter when closing despite the Railway fixing dampers.

I guess if a bridge was built to modern standards at Govier's Lane Crossing then many of the problems would go away at that particular place. But of course a new modern bridge, complete with long sloping ramps, would cost a fortune and I'm sure a bid for funds would not be successful unless bundled with other nearby developments which themselves seem to have stalled.

As for the old Footbridge, its days may well be numbered. Upon its demise, there remains the little matter of getting to Govier's Lane Crossing. The use of the Platform may be the obvious route but as a thoroughfare it is hardly safe and much less so when packed with waiting passengers. And when a train stops it is complete chaos.

Much to ponder for some. Much to watch with interest from afar.