Longer waits likely at Cornton crossing Queue concerns raised at BofA community council
A potential increase in rail travel post-Covid could exacerbate waiting times at Cornton level crossing. Bridge of Allan Community Council was told at its meeting on Tuesday evening that eight trains per hour currently pass through the level crossing, but there was a scenario for 14 trains passing through each hour in future.
The level crossing barriers, which had been installed in the 1980s, are currently being upgraded to a full- four-barrier system with radar which can detect objects on the railway line.
It is estimated that each train will roughly take two minutes and 12 seconds to get through the level crossing.
Network Rail was criticised earlier this year when data emerged that barriers could be down for 50 minutes in every hour with the new system.
As a result the rail infrastructure body had been invited to speak to the community council.
Network Rail’s Lesley Anne Cain told Tuesday evening’s virtual meeting that eight trains per hour were predicted for “the next few years”.
Freight trains, she said, “run a bit differently” with some operating daily, some weekly, and others fortnightly.
If ScotRail were to change their timetable, she added, that would take about two years to realise.
But Ms Cain said: “Everything from a societal and cultural point of view is up for change postCovid.
“The Government’s aspiration is to get people and lorries off the road and on to rail.
“We cannot predict what the future is going to hold.”
The barrier down figure of 50 minutes was based on a 14-train per hour scenario, she added.
A resident in nearby Westerlea Drive Sam Shortt told Ms Cain that backed-up traffic at the level crossing, particularly on the north side, blocked access to the B823 Cornton Road.
He asked if there was a traffic management plan which would include yellow hatched marking. Ms Cain replied there was not, but pressed by Mr Shortt, added: “We can work with the council on that.”
Mr Shortt also stressed that queues on either side of the level crossing in future would take longer to clear than they do currently.
Stirling Council environment and housing convener Jim Thomson asked Ms Cain if Network Rail were going to give Stirling Council money for its role in the matter.
She replied: “Right now there is no money set aside. This is a matter for the Scottish Government, particularly (executive agency) Transport Scotland.”
■ Ms Cain also pointed to a variety of road closures during the current Cornton level crossing upgrade.
The work had been due to be completed in December last year, she said, but there had been delays due to Covid-19 and completion was now scheduled for May 10.
As well as road closures every Saturday night throughout
March further road closures are scheduled, she added.
“Significant” road closures will take place from Saturday May 27 from 11.30pm to Monday May 29 at 6am as well as a ten-day closure from April 30 through to May 10.
During that time pedestrians will have to cross farther south at the ‘Cornton Two’ level crossing.
It had previously been intimated that cars and LGVs will be diverted through Cornton Road, Fountain Road, Henderson Street, Airthrey Road, Causewayhead Road, Cornton Road and vice versa.
And HGVs will be diverted via Cornton Road, Fountain Road, Henderson Street, Airthrey Road, Alloa Road, A91, Kerse Road, Burghmuir Road, Causewayhead Road, Cornton Road and vice versa.