New barriers would mean big delays

The scheme is being taken forward despite the fact that alternative plans for the road are presently out for public consultation and without proper consideration of any alternative method of improving safety at the crossing, he said.

The Network Rail plan, being proposed in the name of transport safety, is also expected to be opposed by East Sussex County Council and Lewes District Council.

Said Mr Baker: 'While the present half barriers are down for 37 seconds at a time to allow a train through, full length barriers, operated by CCTV from Lewes, would be down for between three and five minutes per train, making a total of over 30 minutes in the hour at peak time between 07.20 and 08.20 in the morning.

'It is right that the serious issue of safety at a busy level crossing should be addressed. But this plan pulls the rug out from under the present consultation process considering alterations to the A27 by predetermining crossing arrangements for the road if grade separation were rejected.

Alternative routes

'This measure will delay vehicles for over 30 minutes in an hour at the busiest time and I predict will lead to gridlock and queues of traffic at least double what we now see.

'There will be a knock-on effect through the Cuilfail Tunnel into Lewes as well, and traffic will seek to use alternative routes, including through Rodmell and Kingston, or through Ringmer.

'I am pleased that safety has already been improved at the crossing by the provision of CCTV cameras to stop red light jumpers, something I asked for. Surely we should wait to see how effective this has been before making a drastic change like this?

'Furthermore, no one has explained to me why it is not possible, if concern about jumping still exists, for there to be a physical separation of the carriageway on both sides of the crossing to prevent lane-shifting.'

Officers will tell the county transport cabinet on Monday the scheme is proposed to deal with the potential for accidents at the level crossing near Lewes where vehicles sometimes fail to stop at the barriers, running the risk of colliding with trains.

'The existing barrier system causes the crossing to be closed for about six minutes every hour with the current level of train services,' they add.

'If the new system were to be installed, then the crossing would be closed for about 21 to 24 minutes every hour for the same level of service.

'There are already considerable traffic delays associated with the operation of this level crossing. In the morning peak hours, the traffic can queue along the A27 as far as Selmeston, about four miles to the east.

'Should the full barriers be installed, then the ensuing traffic congestion would be extremely widespread and long-lasting as traffic sought alternative routes.'

At present, the automatic barriers are triggered by the train itself. A full barrier system involves a signalman at Lewes, via a CCTV system, who will only allow the train through after making sure the crossing is clear of traffic - hence the delay

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