Local MP Dr Ben Spencer has called on the rail regulator to investigate and help resolve the ongoing delays and disruptions around level crossings in Egham.
Following upgrade works undertaken last year, instead of reducing down times as promised, residents have reported long delays and traffic chaos as a result of extended level crossing down times.
Runnymede & Weybridge MP Ben requested the down time data available from SWR, which he has analysed.
He comments: "I am shocked that data provided for Pooley Green crossing in September 2023 indicates delays of over 10 minutes occurred on 119 occasions – a huge 3967 percent increase compared to just three instances in September of the previous year. In one extreme case, the delay lasted an entire hour.
"Such delays disrupt daily life and could hinder emergency services from navigating the area efficiently. I have been actively collaborating with Network Rail to identify and implement solutions to these issues, however the data received indicates the scale of the issue may be far greater than initially acknowledged."
Ben has reached out to the emergency services and requested Network Rail works with him to improve coordination with emergency services to ensure that delays at the level crossing do not obstruct critical blue light services. He has requested the ORR urgently investigates and work with Network Rail to address these issues.
Thanks are also due to thank Egham Hythe councillor Alex Balkan for his support and tireless campaigning on this issue on behalf of residents. Together, Ben and Alex are committed to addressing this issue with Network Rail, developing long-term solutions to enhance rail services and reduce disruption across Runnymede and Weybridge.