Poole High Street has had a level crossing at this point since the line was extended from Poole Station to Bournemouth West in 1874.
A Comparison image of Poole `A' Box taken by Dr J. Boudreau in 1977 just before its demolition can be found in the book: Rails to Poole Harbour by Colin Stone. (Oakwood Press, ISBN 0-85361-553-5).
Poole's `A' Box, originally `Poole East' stood beside the crossing, In the above photograph taken on 9th February 2000, you can see some of the raised timbers still there beside the track that used to form a `boardwalk' across the mechanical linkages leading out of the base of the signal box. The original swinging crossing gates were operated by mechanical linkages to a large `wheel' in the `A' Box which had to be turned by hand to open and close the gates for each train. The signalbox was demolished in 1977 and the gates were replaced with barriers electrically operated from Poole's B box at the opposite end of the station using Closed Circuit Television cameras so the signalman can see the crossing.
Views from the 10 chain curve between Poole station and Poole High Street level crossing.
