The level crossing on Spring Bank West
Or, as many cyclists will think of it, the double crossing.
Many years ago, when we first came to Hull, we lived out on Priory Road, and my route home from the city centre took me along Spring Bank and Spring Bank West: I cycled over the crossing many times, and I never thought of it as a hazard.
And then the erstwhile Humberside County Council, with a loudly trumpeted grant from the Common Market regional fund, re-aligned the road to make it easier for cars. With the result that cycles were no longer crossing the rails at a right angle and were more likely to slip, skid, or get the wheels caught in the runnels. I did point this out to a County Councillor at the time, but he wasn't interested.
It happened to Carole today, which is why I am writing this. My usual method of "taking care", as cyclists are advised to do, is to approach the crossing at speed, move out as far to the right as possible, indicate left, and cross the rails at 90°, ending up near the kerb. But this only works if there is not too much traffic and it is moving. If, like this morning, the level crossing is closed and there are a lot of impatient cars, then you are in trouble.
If you should be unfortunate enough to come off your bike on the crossing, even if you are not seriously hurt (Carole was shaken and bruised, but nothing broken), you should take the trouble to phone Railtrack on 0190 452 5895. A sympathetic gentleman will take particulars and log the details.
Why bother? Because something should be done, and the more incidents are reported, the more likely it is that Railtrack and the Council will have to take action. What it needs, in my opinion is more room for cyclists, so that they can come at the rails at a right angle. But why did they change it in the first place?
Stephen
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