The Moor Road level crossing on the Leeds Heritage railway requires major safety upgrades before operations on the branch can resume.
The crossing of the Balm Road Branch over Moor Road no longer meets current safety requirements because of increased traffic on that road.
Moor road is an important access route to the nearby M621 motorway and this is the principal cause of the increased traffic volume.
The Railway has been updating its risk assessment for the crossing. One of its early conclusions is that road users will need to be alerted to the crossing of a Middleton Railway train by modern “wig wag” lights.
Unfortunately, installation of these lights and other necessary related works will not be complete in time for the annual steam gala planned for the beginning of October.
Therefore, steam gala operations will only take place on the line between Moor Road and Middleton Park.
The Middleton Railway Trust is exploring fundraising options to finance the restoration of the historic Balm Road Branch and allow its return to service. The Trust will announce its plans in due course.
This is the oldest working railway in the world run entirely by volunteers. Originally built in 1758, the Middleton was the first railway to be authorised by an Act of Parliament, and was the first to employ commercially successful steam locomotives, as early as June 1812. It has operated trains every year since opening in 1758.
The Middleton Railway has a notable “Youth Team”, which has been operating for around seven years and has approximately ten members aged between 14 and 25 years.
According to the UK's Heritage Railway Association (HRA), the UK and Ireland have over 200 heritage railways operating more than 460 stations and running on nearly 600 miles of track. Approximately 13 million people visited HRA member railways in 2023
Here Here it should be the highway’s responsibility if they want the crossing upgraded (is is only like upgrading Traffic Lights) which is their responsibility the Trains were there before the volume of motorists they will have to wait instead of dodging the Gates and lights they are asking for a disaster
Ride apon the footplate there n back again….
Under bridges through the tunnels such a commotion ride along never get a promotion!
Without a doubt, the public need to be protected-mainly from themselves. The standard of driving is the pits, which can be observed daily at YOUR choice of level crossing. To bring the matter objectively to its conclusion, as Mr. smith eloquently points out, the problem in NOT railway, but the roads department,who need to accept the problem is THEIRS. As for ‘educating’ drivers, you will never, ever, educate the idiot drivers as there in no use drilling where ther is no oil!!!
The cause of the problem is increased ROAD traffic so Highways UK should be paying for the required equipment. It’s not a problem for the railway but a problem caused by road traffic. The railway existed long before the road traffic became a problem. Major issue here is the usual impatient road user who thinks he can just drive willy nilly over a rail crossing regardless whether a train is coming. Once they’ve had their vehicle hit by a couple of hundred tons of train they’ll learn that it’s not a good idea!
Ridiculous for the few times a year this section of the line is used! Preserved railways are finding funding a struggle these days anyway & this just going to make it harder! Health & Safety gone crazy!!