Stop the proposed Whistle Boards NOW!!!

I assume like me, you received a letter from Network Rail on 7th November making us aware that they will be installing whistle boards on the railway line on 26th November to protect the level crossing access to Knoll Farm. These will stay in place until the SDL road is built (perhaps in three years time?) at which time there will be a road link to Knoll farm and the level crossing will be closed.

What are the implications to Wokingham Residents:

The implications of this are that all trains will travel much faster as they approach and leave Wokingham station and will blow their whistle/horn when they reach the whistle boards to act as a warning that a train is coming and for people not to use the level crossing to/from Knoll Farm (after Wokingham station on the way to Bracknell) until the train has passed.

Currently trains pass both ways roughly every 20 minutes meaning that we get 6 trains every hour passing from before 6am until after midnight. This implies that we could get over 100 trains blowing their whistle/horn every day and night right behind our houses as we and our families try to enjoy ourselves in the garden, house and indeed try to sleep at night !

Having lived on Gipsy Lane for many years I am not aware of any safety issues for people using the level crossing to Knoll Farm and do not understand the reason for them doing this now, particularly as the whistle boards will be removed in about three years time ?  I spoke to one resident that said apparently Network Rail tried to do this many years ago and there was uproar from the neighbours.  We need to do the same again.

I called the Network Rail 24hour helpline number - 03457 114141 - which is referenced on the letter and logged my concern. I requested that they find an alternative way of continuing to ensure the safety of the level crossing being used which does not affect all of the residents backing onto the line for the benefit of one family living at Knoll Farm. The helpline is just a call centre and they have logged my comments, given me a case number and promised that someone will call me as soon as possible in the next 20 days. I highlighted that 20 days will be after the work is planned to be done and that someone needs to contact me sooner rather than later.

What to do next:
If you agree with my concerns I urgently request that you do the following:

• Sign the petition to stop these whistle boards now.
• Phone the Network Rail 24hour helpline number - 03457 114141 and log a complaint

There needs to be an alternative solution than blowing their horn every time a train passes. This will ensure that that Railtrack understand that there is considerable resident unrest, that they need to think this through and at least talk to us before going ahead to explain why they are planning on doing it and the real impact it will have on all Wokingham residents as this will be heard from the centre of town too not just Gipsy Lane residents.

If you agree with me please act immediately and sign this petition it will enable me to take things further with your full support to Rail Track.