I received a reply from Phllip Hammond M.P.
Thank you for your letter. I do share the concerns that you express regarding increased barrier down-time at the level crossings in the Egham area if the Airtrack project goes ahead. I have been involved in discussions about this project and have been working with the local Council's engingeers for several years in respect of it.
My initial reaction, like yours, was that there must be some law that prevents the railway from just closing the level crossing barriers for ever longer periods of time and inconveniencing the majority, who are road users. I have been as incensed as I am sure you have sitting in a traffic jam at the crossing barrier comprised of dozens if not hundreds of cars, waiting for several minutes, only to see a train with three or four passengers on it going through. However, the harsh reality is that the railway controls the operation of level crossings and there is no statutory restriction whatsoever on their ability to close the barriers. I have argued that there should be some kind of forum - perhaps a joint body between the railway operator and the County Council as Highways Authority - which effectively allocates the scares resource of crossing time between road and rail users to try to minimise congestion.
My initial understanding of the Airtrack project was that it would involved a complete re-signalling of the line, which would allow much shorter barrier-down times for each train crossing, although there would be a significantly higher number of trains using the line.
Unfortunately, I subsequently became aware that Network Rail are now saying that it is technically impossible to introduce signalling to this line that would allow shorter barrier down-times and that therefore the introduction of additional train paths would give rise to significantly increased total barrier down-times, although I have never had a satisfactory technical justification for this position. If this were to allowed to happen it would indeed be a disaster for both residents and for businesses in the Egham area.
I have recently had a meeting with Airtrack in which they confirm that they have looked at the possibility for a tunnel at the Pooley Green level crossing and that they are currently seeking to agree a way forward with Surrey County Council as highways authority to addressing the transport issues around the three level crossings in Egham - which, they say, requires an area-wide response that cannot be delivered by the Airtrack project alone. Runnymede Borough Council has made it clear, and I have joined them in this, that support for the Airtrack proposal will only be forthcoming if proper protection of the interests of highway users in the Egham area is incorporated into the scheme. I shall be pursuing this issue with the Surrey County Council.
I can assure you that I will remain vigilent on this issue and my support of the Airtrack scheme will be dependent on concrete assurances being delivered that appropriate arrangements are made for road traffic in Egham and to the other towns affected.
Thank you for writing to me about this matter and please do nit hesitated to contact me again if there is anything further that you feel needs to be drawn to my attention.
Yours sincerely
PHILLIP HAMMOND MP