Network Rail hosted a zoom meeting on 17 June to explain the reasoning for the closure to local residents.  About 70 concerned members of the public attended. Judging from the chat all were opposed to the proposed closure.

As a result of this meeting residents are organising a group to work together to oppose the closure or at least persuade Network Rail to provide a more suitable alternative than a diversion along a very narrow pavement next to a very busy road.

If you would like more information, can help us by joining a committee or want to join the group mailing list please email angersteincrossing@gmail.com.

Re the meeting with Network Rail:

The meeting was chaired by John Moss-Coleman (Community Relations Manager) and other representatives were Fiona Taylor (Kent Area), Gemma Kent, and Damian (Legal Department).

Network Rail have had cameras on the crossing and they produced photos showing incidents of concern. There were a couple of serious trespass incidents, not an uncommon occurrence on any railway, but local residents were less than impressed by the rest which included:

·       somebody taking photographs on the crossing

·       a woman carrying a buggy down the steps away from the crossing

·       a person on crutches 

·       young people sitting on the steps

·       two people on the crossing appearing to be having a brief chat

All of these are cited by Network Rail as reasons to close the crossing. Their case is that these show vulnerable people at risk because they are distracted and not concentrating on the railway. This places them at risk from being struck by a train travelling at up to 15mph. What Network Rail never explained was how this can be the case. All trains have to stop at the stop boards either side of the crossing and then sound their horn before moving off. There is no way a train will come hurtling around the bend and catch them unawares whilst concentrating on something else. Indeed, no train can possibly be travelling at 15mph across the crossing from a standing start at the stop boards. Residents thought the Network Rail case weak and largely theoretical, with no regard to the actual circumstances.

On looking at the alternatives, an underpass has been ruled out because it would cost £3m and would have drainage issues. What Network Rail are proposing is to:

·       clear vegetation along Ferndale Road

·       paint the red walls

·       paint a mural on the brickwork under the bridge on Woolwich Road

The legal representative said the path over the railway is not a public right of way, as the crossing was originally provided for private use of the landowner, John Angerstein. He also constantly refused to answer questions about the comparative risk of using the crossing and using the narrow pavement under the bridge on Woolwich Road. His position was that safety on the pavement was a matter for the Highways agency.  Residents suggested that Network Rail were washing their hands of the public safety of pedestrians.

Residents thought the presentation poor, the evidence largely unconvincing, the logic faulty and the proposed alternative route unacceptable as no number of murals will make the narrow pavement next to the main road safe. It seems that the retreat two years ago was a tactical one to allow Network Rail time to put up the cameras, try to obtain supportive evidence and research the legal position.

Network Rail have been in touch to thank residents for attending the meeting but we are still awaiting the promised detail about alternatives such as a footbridge, tunnel or gates to make the crossing itself safer.  We hope they will also stick to their committment not to do anything about closure until they have engaged properly with the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

To repeat what I said above, residents are also organising a group to work together to oppose the closure or at least persuade Network Rail to provide a more suitable alternative than a diversion along a very narrow pavement next to a very busy road.

If you would like more information, can help us by joining a committee or want to join the group mailing list please email angersteincrossing@gmail.com.