Notes

Meeting Title: Date: Time: Location: Attendees: Mexico footpath crossing 29th January 2013 2.45pm Committee Room One, Council Offices, St Clare, Penzance Councillor Sue Nicholas (Marazion Division), Councillor Sue Pass (Penzance Promenade Division), Councillor Richard Sargeant (Chairman of Ludgvan Parish Council), Jeremy Edwards (Cornwall Council Highway Network Manager), Adrian Roberts (Cormac Traffic and Safety Engineer), Vanessa Davis (Cornwall Council Legal Officer, Sally Newby (Cornwall Council West Penwith Community Network Manager), Sarah Mitchell (Network Rail), Chris Drayton (Network Rail), Tim Mayo (Network Rail), Karen Stapleton (Network Rail), Andy Coston (Network Rail), Dave Reaney (Network Rail) None

Apologies:

Key points:

To be Actioned by:

Cornwall Council confirmed: That it has sufficient evidence of current and historical patterns of usage to show that the crossing is a Public Right of Way and therefore public highway, despite the fact that it is not shown on the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way. It confirmed that it needs to be satisfied that the crossing is unsafe in order to keep the temporary closure in place and awaits further detailed information from Network Rail. That it did not feel that Network Rail had provided it with sufficient evidence that they have considered all of the recommendations contained in the RAIB report, in particular in relation to Whistle Boards and improving sightings. That it did not feel that they had provided it with sufficient detail on the Options detailed below. That the Council would need to respond to the Coroner by 5th February 2013 or agree an extension with the Coroner.. Cornwall Council asked Network Rail: Network 1

To send to the council a copy of their internal risk Rail assessments related to the safety of the crossing. To provide the Council with details of their response to the recommendations contained in the RAIB report. To investigate the letter that residents have received in relation to the upgrading of the railway. (The Grey Box) and provide details to the Council. To provide more detail on the rationale for their preferred option and the reasons that the other options are not deemed by them to be suitable and/or feasible. To provide any documentary evidence with respect to the downgrading of the path in c1960s. To consider a reduction of the speed limits on the line, as one possible measure to make the crossing safer.

Network Rail outlined the following options: Option 1: Do nothing (current arrangements which met the minimum safety standards) Option 2: The provision of some form of technical system to warn of a train approaching including: o A novel stand alone system that does not have to be integrated into the signalling system using technology that is currently under development; o An established form of warning that is integrated into the signalling system. Option 3: A bridge o Network Rail advised the meeting that whilst it is not possible to provide a bridge at the crossing due to spatial constraints, they did consider it feasible to provided a stepped (not ramped) footbridge 160m to the east of the crossing (i.e towards the village not Penzance) where there may be sufficient space for it which Network Rail would fund. Option 4: Closure of the Mexico Road Crossing and improvements to the level crossing at Longrock. Network Rail offered to work with the council on improving pedestrian access over Long Rock Crossing which they advised would be a relatively low cost option. Network Rail confirmed: They accepted that the path in question had highway status (footpath). That they have a target to reduce the risk at crossings by 25% That Option 4 was their preferred option and that they would consider making a contribution to Cornwall Council to make any necessary improvements to the Long Rock level crossing. They are likely to submit an application for the crossing to be permanently closed. 2

All present agreed that we should issue a statement to the community which sets out our respective positions and outlines the next steps.

SN to draft and circulate