The Footpath crossing at Green Lane has been used for many years as a Stop-Look-Listen type crossing, where the decision to cross was made by seeing or not seeing a train approaching. Due to the long sighting distances at this location a train could be visible for a long period of time before it reached the crossing, particularly in the direction of Ashtead Station.

The newly installed MSL system has been designed by NR signalling engineers to allow crossing users more than adequate time to traverse over the crossing safely, and these timings also include additional seconds to allow for vulnerable users who may need longer to cross. However, due to the long sighting distance it may at times still be possible to see a train in the distance, after the system has stuck in and gone Red, leading users to believe the system has failed.

Please assure your residents that the system has been designed with more than adequate time to complete a traverse of the crossing should the system activate following commencement of their traverse. In addition, this system will also inform the crossing users if there is a second train approaching on the other line. HOWEVER, the speed of the approaching trains may mean that the lights may go from a Red aspect and once the train has passed turn to a Green aspect, but within seconds return to a Red aspect because a second train is approaching the crossing. This will still allow adequate time for the user to traverse over the crossing if they have started to cross once the light originally went Green.

Yesterday the level crossing team visited the crossing to answer any questions on the activation and sequence of the MSL and this will have hopefully built confidence in the system. We also took away the concerns over the level of the audible warning and are now working with the technical team to have the audibles reduced to an acceptable legal level. In addition, I have also arranged a meeting with the central technical team to enquire if the system audible warning can be switched off completely during the nighttime quiet period. I will update you when I have a response.