THE regeneration of Grays continues to build momentum as plans to deliver a safer and better level crossing alternative progress to the next stage.
Thurrock Council and Network Rail have completed stage three of the eight stage GRIP (Governance for Railway Investment Projects) process after establishing the foundations to drive forward.
The scheme will see the existing level crossing replaced with a wide pedestrian walkway and two new public squares. Building works set to commence in winter 2022/23 will see striking improvements to the town centre and economic impacts estimated to reach £60 million.
Cllr Mark Coxshall, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “The existing level crossing presents a clear safety risk as the number of near misses continues to rise. It also divides the town, severing accessibility to and from the centre and the river.
“This is a milestone in the development of this scheme following significant technical work and consultation. Now, it’s time to progress and deliver for our residents and businesses.”
The council has also applied for approval to commence a Compulsory Purchase Order to enable scheme delivery only if required. A separate scheme of new commercial/retail/mixed-use units will be incorporated around the public squares to replace any lost units and further improve the economic position of the town.
Cllr Coxshall, added: “Grays has suffered from low investment, rising vacancies, and a poor environment for too long. These works are only one part of much wider aspirational plans to transform the entire town including an energy-efficient council building with the Register Office and ceremonial gardens for weddings at its heart; and up to £25 million investment through the government’s Town Fund to transform Grays into a leisure destination.”
I find the above drawing of the planned crossing highly unsatisfactory. I feel the proposal will divide the town more than the current level crossing does, with so many steps to access a tunnel under the railway line and road. Little thought has gone into how the many users of the crossing that cannot do stairs due to disability or having children in prams or pushchairs will use the crossing, with the only routes provided requiring long detours. Neither have railway, bus and taxi passengers been considered. As a regular rail commuter pre-Covid I often used the level crossing as an easier way to get from Grays Riverside to platforms 2 and 3 and I imagine others use it to get from northern Grays to platform 1; the drawn proposal makes this impossible. Will improved crossings perhaps with lifts be provided inside the station? It also appears as though the taxi rank will disappear and there is little access to where the bus stops are, particularly on the station side. Whilst some are drawn to misuse the level crossing, this proposal sets about spending a lot of public money to make the environment worse. As for any commercial benefit I don’t foresee any; it looks as though some of the few business premises in the town that are occupied will be demolished. Has anyone considered raising the level of the railway track to form an arch over the crossing, if it must be changed?