Thank you for signing the petition - it’s having an impact! 

Network Rail have today advised “Thank you for sharing the petition which local residents have been signing – we recognise the level of concern and are actively looking at what might be possible here – as you will appreciate any complex operational solutions may take some time to implement but we are investigating as we speak.” 

I will be meeting the Route Director next week to “discuss the issues as well as any possible solutions.” 

The petition is having an impact, thanks to you. However, I think Network Rail are a tad worried about a petition with high numbers gathering press attention, as it did for the town of Horsham, which caused a public apology and to work on a solution.

Therefore, I urge you to share the petition with others - anyone impacted by these crossing or you care about the impact on us - so Network Rail see the momentum isn’t going away, and I will keep on trying to gain more press attention with a highly signed petition. The town of Horsham had 10,000 signatures when ITV started reporting on it. We are nearing 1,000 in almost 3 days! That’s good. 

Read the full response below. Also find scanned their apology for the disruption on Tuesday. 

“Dear Cllr Balkan,
 
I’ve attached a letter from the Route Director for the Wessex Route (Mark Killick) which provides some information on the disruption on Tuesday afternoon. We’re really sorry for the excessive delays road users experienced locally and Mark’s letter may of interest to you and your residents. This will be sent to other local stakeholders shortly.
 
In terms of the more broader point around the barrier downtime following the recent resignalling upgrade work, we’re really sorry for the delays drivers and pedestrians are experiencing at the crossing. Thank you for sharing the petition which local residents have been signing – we recognise the level of concern and are actively looking at what might be possible here – as you will appreciate any complex operational solutions may take some time to implement but we are investigating as we speak.
 
Mark would like to arrange a meeting with you for next week, at Egham, so we can discuss the issues as well as any possible solutions. Perhaps you could let me know which dates might work for you and I can try and arrange in Mark’s diary?
 
Look forward to hearing back from you.
 
Kind regards
Jack Wharton
Public Affairs Manager”

Have a nice weekend!

Best wishes,

Alex - Cllr.alex.balkan@runnymede.gov.uk

RBC Councillor for Egham Hythe