Earlier this year, Colas Rail UK’s Signalling team recently completed the installation of four new level crossings in Cornwall.
This package of works included a Level Crossing at Terras, situated alongside the East Looe River and of significance given the location and previous system in place. Prior to the new level crossing, Terras Level Crossing, located on the Looe Branch was an Open crossing with trains reducing their speed and sounding their horn as their only method to warn pedestrians and traffic.
Colas Rail UK have since upgraded the crossing, to an Automatic Half Barrier (AHB) Crossing, implementing additional safety features such as barriers and road traffic lights to minimise the safety risk to the public and allow trains to continue at a faster speed, without stopping.
Similar upgrades have also been made to three other previously Open crossings, upgrading Lodge Farm, also on the Looe Branch, to an AHB crossing. Sandways and Okeltor, located on the Calstock Branch have been upgraded to Automatic Open Crossing Locally Monitored due to site constraints.
Due to the cultural and ecological significance of the site, several provisions and mitigations were put in place prior to works commencing. This included collaboration with National England, the Marine Maritime Organisation, and the Environmental Agency to gain the necessary approvals and protect the local wildlife.
Collaborative Working
Working alongside Network Rail, external stakeholders were also engaged, with England Heritage (EH), the Office of Road & Rail (ORR) and the Duchy of Cornwall. With the nearby Terras Bridge being a Grade 2 listed structure EH were consulted, the land acquisition required approval from the Duchy of Cornwall and ultimately ORR signed off our proposed designs from a safety perspective.
Design and Delivery
Our proposed design incorporated a unique construction programme, with work completed in specific time frames along with preventative measures including sheet pile retaining walls to protect the infrastructure and facilitate easier maintenance due to the high tides of the East Looe River and Estuary flooding.
The design also addressed engineering challenges, including road widenings, upgrading the power and telecoms equipment, and collaborating with original equipment manufacturers to create bespoke barrier machines.
Looking out for the local Community
We took measures to look after our site neighbours, working closely with Network Rail’s local relations team to brief the community through communications and awareness days. Our Signalling team also implemented sustainable hybrid generators to minimise noise and air pollution.
Colas Rail UK Signalling Programme Manager, Dan Palmer said “This project was a real test for us from day 1 and formed part of our clients Train Accident Risk Reduction milestones. As we reflect now, it’s easy to forget some of the challenges faced and overcome.
“From a global pandemic in COVID-19, high influence stakeholders, challenging site constraints and significant business changes within the industry, our teams faced a lot of obstacles that were expertly overcome to successfully deliver safety improvements for the passengers and residents in the local area.”
The team will return to the Level Crossings later this year to fully complete the upgrades.
This level crossing and the three others were completed successfully and safely as part of Network Rail’s Signalling and Telecommunications (S&T) framework.
First published: 9th August 2024