Bentley Bridge Barrier - update
Following two site meetings at Bentley Bridge between Bentley Parish Council, with representatives from the riding community and County Councillors with the Head of Transport Strategy, the following report gives an update to be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting on 1st July 2021.
Proposals to have a restraint system along the fence line running parallel to the track
SCC officers have regular meetings with a Network Rail team who deal with rail incursions sites within Suffolk and beyond. SCC informed them of the local issues at Bentley and discussed options. NR do not support any vehicle restraint system along their fence line for fear that a vehicle hitting this head on may then somersault over the restraint and onto the track. Vehicle restraint systems such as crash barriers are designed to run parallel to the direction of travel and deflect vehicles away.
Safety Audit and British Horse Society report
Suffolk Highways design team have taken on board comments about the original proposal and the comments from the safety audit and modified the design of the crash barrier.
SCC Highways took advice from the British Horse Society who recommended wider verges on the approaches to the bridge for horse riders or pedestrians to wait before crossing the bridge. The general arrangement plan now shows a 2.5m wide verge in front of the safety barrier.
Changes to the proposed barrier structure
SCC have also met the safety barrier manufacturer on site and have been able to shorten each of the four lengths of safety barrier from 50 metres down to 36 metres. They also intend to improve the aesthetics by using a safety barrier with wood attachment as shown on TRV2M and shown within the manufacturers brochure (Trevlade VRS in Wood)
They have discussed the proposed modifications to the original crash barrier design with Network Rail who fully support the revised design and are keen that the design is completed and works are carried out as soon as possible to provide the required safety to the main-line track below the bridge.
SCC hope that the extent of changes that have been made to the design to mitigate our earlier concerns are now agreeable.
Attachments -
Bentley Bridge Barrier General Arrangement 10-06-21.pdf
BHS report on Bentley Bridge crash barriers.pdf