Level crossing closure could have "considerable impact" on trading in Poole

5:01pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in News By Diana Henderson

DISRUPTION: The level crossing over the railway line in Poole Town Centre is set to close as Network Rail will spend nine days upgrading equipment DISRUPTION: The level crossing over the railway line in Poole Town Centre is set to close as Network Rail will spend nine days upgrading equipment

THE level crossing that cuts between Poole’s High Street and the shopping centre is to be closed to pedestrians for nine days at the end of February.

Network Rail is to upgrade the signalling and equipment at what is one of the busiest pedestrian level crossings in the country, on the main rail line to Waterloo.

However this means that the barriers will be down and the crossing shut to shoppers from 12.05am on Saturday February 23 to 4am on March 4.

While the footbridge will remain open and will be the only way across for those able to climb the steps, there will be someone on hand to help those with pushchairs and wheelchairs cross.

“The improvements are planned to reduce risk and improve safety and reliability and are part of a larger re-signalling project between Poole and Wool,” said a Network Rail spokesman.

“We are working with the local authority to facilitate the closure and those who are unable to use the footbridge or nearby subway will be able to use the level crossing with assistance from a crossing keeper who will be on site 24-hours a day.

“Any closure will be temporary and the crossing will reopen once the upgrade is complete. This is a busy level crossing and we would ask for people’s patience while this essential work takes place.”

In a letter to traders, Dolphin Shopping Centre manager John Grinnell said: “Network Rail has been left in no uncertain terms that this closure has the potential to have a considerable impact on the already precarious trading position within the town centre.”

He added: “I appreciate this news will not necessarily be welcomed by traders but hopefully everyone will understand the need for this to be done, and that being the busiest pedestrian level crossing in the country, “Network Rail are keen for this site to be upgraded.”

Martin Baker, senior road safety engineer at the Borough of Poole, said the council understood the need to carry out essential improvement works to the level crossing.

“We are working closely with them to ensure residents safety whilst using the level crossing during this period.

“In addition we hope disruption to local businesses will be kept to a minimum and Network Rail completes the works at the earliest opportunity,” he added.

Comments(17)

The Renegade Master says...
5:05pm Thu 24 Jan 13

It's nine days not nine weeks!
I'm sure with a little forward planning, those who would find the railway bridge a challenge can make alternate arrangements for a few days.

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manyogie says...
5:59pm Thu 24 Jan 13

So, will the Council compensate by having free parking in the Sainsburys and Hill Street multi story car parks?

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Black Pirate says...
6:15pm Thu 24 Jan 13

More madness from Notwork Rail this is a pedestrian route not a major car junction like the one at Wool. Therefore this work is not required and also as I found out by phone to Highways Dept. today not justified by any evidence.

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nosuchluck54 says...
6:21pm Thu 24 Jan 13

manyogie wrote:
So, will the Council compensate by having free parking in the Sainsburys and Hill Street multi story car parks?
I am sure when you are ready to do your shopping the council will send a car for you,you obviously think that highly of your life that you deserve at least that

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Reader Echo says...
9:14pm Thu 24 Jan 13

They may need to keep a paramedic on site as well 24 hours a day.

With the size of some of the burger eating fatties in Poole, there will be many cardiac casualties on the steps.

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benjamin says...
9:47pm Thu 24 Jan 13

If they are able to have a person or persons at the crossing to help wheeled carriages across. then why not escort the infirm and elderly over as well? The steps across the railway lines aren't realy designed to be user friendly.

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guisselle says...
5:01am Fri 25 Jan 13

The shopper-hollicks are going to be
gutted!

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dvdr says...
10:53am Fri 25 Jan 13

One wonders how many shoppers the Dolphin Centre management think will be discouraged from shopping while the level crossing is closed. - That is to be between midnight and 4am!

Could it be that someone is attempting to shift blame for poor performance on their own part on to Network Rail? Mid-day to 4pm closure would certainly affect shoppers, but closure in the middle of the night will not affect many, if any, shoppers.

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guisselle says...
1:45pm Fri 25 Jan 13

dvdr wrote:
One wonders how many shoppers the Dolphin Centre management think will be discouraged from shopping while the level crossing is closed. - That is to be between midnight and 4am!

Could it be that someone is attempting to shift blame for poor performance on their own part on to Network Rail? Mid-day to 4pm closure would certainly affect shoppers, but closure in the middle of the night will not affect many, if any, shoppers.
Goodness surely this is a health and
safety issue and Network Rail have to
do their job let them get on with it and
stop whinging!

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live-and-let-live says...
2:01pm Fri 25 Jan 13

i wonder if network rail could clean the bridge steps too?

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manyogie says...
2:43pm Fri 25 Jan 13

nosuchluck54 wrote:
manyogie wrote: So, will the Council compensate by having free parking in the Sainsburys and Hill Street multi story car parks?
I am sure when you are ready to do your shopping the council will send a car for you,you obviously think that highly of your life that you deserve at least that
Oi nobby, I,m asking if the Council will back up their platitudes by being pro-active and helping the poor sods who they fleece rigid 52 weeks of the year in rates, but obviously subtlty aint your strong point

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nosuchluck54 says...
2:46pm Fri 25 Jan 13

manyogie wrote:
nosuchluck54 wrote:
manyogie wrote: So, will the Council compensate by having free parking in the Sainsburys and Hill Street multi story car parks?
I am sure when you are ready to do your shopping the council will send a car for you,you obviously think that highly of your life that you deserve at least that
Oi nobby, I,m asking if the Council will back up their platitudes by being pro-active and helping the poor sods who they fleece rigid 52 weeks of the year in rates, but obviously subtlty aint your strong point
They obviously said no then.Just have to do what the rest of us do then and get on with it,tough life INNIT

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KerriR says...
2:55pm Fri 25 Jan 13

The bridge itself could do with a bit of modernising. I'm fit and healthy and it doesn't bother me using it - but the steps are a bit narrow. Am scared I am going to fall!

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paul.p says...
4:16pm Fri 25 Jan 13

live-and-let-live wrote:
i wonder if network rail could clean the bridge steps too?
Whaatt! You must be joking!

But I know what you mean, that Bridge is disgusting, weeds, rubbish, chewing gum etc, I thought it was listed?

I might do it myself...now, where's me hard hat....

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Dibbles2 says...
5:51pm Fri 25 Jan 13

manyogie wrote:
So, will the Council compensate by having free parking in the Sainsburys and Hill Street multi story car parks?
Why? Wheelchair users can move their cars to various car parks that if they are exempt form parking charges so why should the council make them free? What significance will free parking have on peoles ability to cross a bridge? So mugs like me can pay more in my council tax?

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manyogie says...
5:40pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Dibbles2 wrote:
manyogie wrote:
So, will the Council compensate by having free parking in the Sainsburys and Hill Street multi story car parks?
Why? Wheelchair users can move their cars to various car parks that if they are exempt form parking charges so why should the council make them free? What significance will free parking have on peoles ability to cross a bridge? So mugs like me can pay more in my council tax?
er, I,m not specifying wheelchair users etc, I,m saying that to try and minimise loss of trade to the other side of the crossing, free parking may, just may, but, sadly, reading the replies to my earlier comment I fear not, entice `peoles` to park n shop in the high st, after paying out once already to park and shop in the Arndale

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manyogie says...
5:45pm Sat 26 Jan 13

nosuchluck54 wrote:
manyogie wrote:
nosuchluck54 wrote:
manyogie wrote: So, will the Council compensate by having free parking in the Sainsburys and Hill Street multi story car parks?
I am sure when you are ready to do your shopping the council will send a car for you,you obviously think that highly of your life that you deserve at least that
Oi nobby, I,m asking if the Council will back up their platitudes by being pro-active and helping the poor sods who they fleece rigid 52 weeks of the year in rates, but obviously subtlty aint your strong point
They obviously said no then.Just have to do what the rest of us do then and get on with it,tough life INNIT
ah, so `they` `obviously` said no.
Can I enquire to who `they` are, and what was the question `they obviously said No` too?
Anyway, as your sphincter is obviously impeeding your ability to remove your head once in a while, I park in the Arndale, pay and walk , unassisted, unaided, on my own 2 feet, down the high street merrily shopping away, of which I then carry it back, again unaided, without assistance, to the car park.
When the crossings shut, and after paying out once to park, I may find free parking an enticement to continue with my routine.

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