I wanted to give you a quick update on where we were up to with the crossing at the bottom of Pentwyn Road. I am not going to rehearse the history of the closure and subsequent proceedings that have followed, but instead, just give a quick recap since the public inquiry in 2019.
In 2019, at Public Inquiry, the presiding Inspector agreed that the right of the residents to cross the railway at Pentwyn Road was a historical right and one that should be perpetuated. The Inspector also, by the conclusion of her judgement, confirmed that Network Rail had never had the right to close the crossing. Network Rail appealed twice to the High Court but neither appeal succeeded.
Network Rail then asked Conwy County Council to keep the crossing closed whilst they examined again the safety issues. I support this safety first consideration.
They also met with me and those that had brought the matter to Public Enquiry – including local County Councillor Mike Priestley, Janet Finch-Saunders our Senedd representative, The Ramblers Association and local residents.
Network Rail maintain that no railway crossing can ever be 100% safe and have now made application to the local authority for the permanent closure of the access.
In preparation for the meeting of the Licensing Committee to consider this matter, Network Rail appear to indicate that if Conwy Council do not close (“extinguish”) the footpath, in effect insisting upon a crossing, they will be forced to close part of the coastal path. There are other technical points but this is the main one.
This is confusing because at the Public Inquiry Network Rail offered testimony that the crossing could be “made safe” but they were “not prepared to do it.”
It is also disappointing that such strong tactics are being used when there is a willingness to explore and reach reasonable accommodation for a safe and realistic crossing.
I have made representations to the local authority and I understand that the meeting scheduled for Monday 13th December has been postponed to January.
I remain open minded on this. Now that we have established there is a right of way over the railway line, we must establish the safety of such a crossing.
However, the conflicting statements made by Network Rail and a threat to close the coastal path if the council does not close the crossing do not persuade me the crossing is not safe.
I hope we are at least taking small steps towards agreeing the safety measures that will secure a crossing we can all benefit from for years to come.