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]

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.

A Facebook Group

"I travelled on the West Somerset Railway in 2010" is a Facebook group for those who plan to travel on Britain's longest heritage railway in 2010. Hopefully a ticket will be purchased! It would be nice to see a large membership of the group on Facebook and even better if many members can make at least one trip this year and help the Railway reach a record 250000 passengers in 2010. I suppose the key to success is to ensure many Facebook users join up. I'm not sure how that is done effectively but I'm sure every effort will be made. There are ten stations - Bishops Lydeard, Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber, Williton, Doniford, Watchet, Washford, Blue Anchor, Dunster and Minehead. And lots to superb scenery along the twenty mile steam powered railway which runs from the Vale of Taunton Deane, through the gap between the Quantock Hills and the Brendon Hills, to the Bristol Channel coast at Watchet, Blue Anchor and Minehead, the gateway to Exmoor. See www.wsr.org.uk for more details.

Everything is rosy in the Station Gardens

It's been a bit of a slog but we are on the move with the Station Gardens promotion. A date has been fixed for the special week - 15 to 22 July 2007. A leaflet has been designed and will be printed soon. The Railway Company will be completing the promotion strategy which should include mail shots to garden centres and leaflets in tourist information centres. The www.wsr.org.uk website has, as you can imagine, already posted information on several pages. I have also been busy emailing websites which list garden events. One success already! There is a poster image at http://www.wsr.org.uk/posters/gardens2007.jpg for folks to download, print and display to help us promote the Gardens Week, it'd be wonderful if folks could do this! Anyone with a blog or website can also help by listing the link for more information at http://www.wsr.org.uk/gardens.htm Anyway, the Station Gardens are open every day in the summer so folks can always visit a Station Garden before make their way by train perhaps to another Station Garden down the line. A leisurely lunch at the Washford Inn or the Driftwood at Blue Anchor, maybe, and hey that's quite a nice day out! Help us promote the Station Gardens if you can. Thanks.