VolkerRail: Wigan to Southport level crossings

Trio of life-expired level crossings identified for safety upgrades 

Three level crossings owned by Network Rail on the line between Wigan and Southport required upgrading to improve safety and efficiency. GRIP Stage 2 feasibility studies had been carried out on all three, and recommendations made for improvements.  

Pool Hey and Wyke Cop Level Crossings were both Automatic Half Barrier Crossings (AHBC), which required conversion to Manually Controlled Barriers supervised by Obstacle Detection (MCB-OD). Chapel Lane Level Crossing was originally a Manually Controlled Gated Crossing (MCG) with a crossing attendant. The GRIP Stage 2 recommendation here was to close the crossing and replace it with a road diversion and footbridge.  

However, local objections to closing Chapel Lane Level Crossing meant Network Rail opted for the reserve recommendation of an upgrade to MCB-OD protection. That meant all three level crossings would be upgraded to this type. Considered to be the safest type of modern level  crossing protection, MCB-OD crossings are monitored by RADAR and laser-scanning obstacle-detection systems to ensure they are clear before trains are permitted to pass. 

SYSTRA has established a trusted working relationship with VolkerRail over many years. Having proved our ability to deliver high-quality level crossing solutions within agreed timescales, VolkerRail appointed our Level Crossings team to upgrade the three crossings between Wigan and Southport. 

Safe, modern, reliable level crossings designed by SYSTRA 

SYSTRA delivered Level Crossing Ground Plans, including Foundation and White Lining Setting Out Drawings and As-built Ground Plans.  

Our Level Crossings team had to overcome a number of challenges in designing these enhanced crossings. At the Chapel Lane site, we reduced the road to a single carriageway, to prevent the crossing being used as an isolated passing place by oncoming vehicles. At Pool Hey, restricted space in one corner of the site meant we had to use a narrow Road Traffic Light Signal (RTLS) backboard, positioned outside of the standard offsets. This solution required bespoke approval from the Department for Transport (DfT) to be used at this site.  

At all three sites, the Principal Contractor encountered buried services when excavating the foundations for level crossing equipment. In each case, the SYSTRA Design CRE was on hand to recommend solutions that allowed the equipment to be relocated quickly, while retaining compliance with all regulations. 

Detailed designs delivered on schedule and on budget 

Having previously produced Approval in Principle Ground Plans for the three level crossings, SYSTRA visited all three sites to verify our proposals and ensure they were buildable. This enabled us to develop the final Approved for Construction designs.  

We had also carried out time-consuming obstacle-detection surface assessments as part of GRIP Stage 4 (Approval in Principle), which meant the cost of these assessments was reduced during the GRIP Stage 5 detailed design. 

Throughout the project, we held frequent design review meetings with VolkerRail and other design teams, ensuring the Level Crossing Ground Plans were developed to the agreed programme and were technically compatible with all associated design disciplines. 

New crossings improve safety and reduce operational and maintenance costs 

All SYSTRA’s designs were completed to the allocated budget. The three MCB-OD level crossings were subsequently installed and commissioned on schedule. The crossings now feature newer, safer infrastructure that provides improved reliability for Network Rail, reduced unforeseen maintenance costs while reducing ongoing operational costs.  

The upgrades mean the railway at each crossing is now completely sealed to the public when a train is approaching. Trains are not allowed to pass if there is any obstruction on the crossing. These crossings are much safer for the public than the previous half-barrier arrangements at Pool Hey and Wyke Cop. The same upgrade at Chapel Lane also removed the need for a full-time crossing attendant to operate the gates.