Skipton-Colne rail link would exacerbate level crossing bottleneck – Yorkshire Post Letters

THERE have been letters recently regarding the possible reopening of the Skipton-Colne line which, in common with many others, should never have been closed.

As we have discovered in different situations over the last year, 20/20 hindsight is wonderful!

However, I have rarely, if ever, seen any proposals for dealing with the bottleneck of Kildwick level crossing where, as I understand it, the barriers are down at peak times for up to 50 minutes in every hour.

This frequently results in traffic queues back to, and sometimes past, Kildwick roundabout on the A629, resulting in back-ups along the A629 both ways and also blocking access to Station Road (leading to Cross Hills Main Street).

The increase in rail traffic following the reopening of the line, both freight and passenger, would exacerbate the present situation.

The option of a bridge or tunnel on the footprint of the existing road over the level crossing is a non-starter as 
either of these would blight the houses on the south of the crossing and the industrial units to the north.

I would love to see what considerations have been made to address this situation.

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