Rail firm fears controversial housing plans could make crossing dangerous

Network Rail is objecting to plans to build a new housing estate near a level crossing.

The planning application lodged with Wyre Council, to build 99 homes on land off Blackpool Road, Carleton has so far attracted more than 850 public comments, most of which are objections.

There have been banner waving protests against the plans, with residents expressing concerns over increased traffic congestion, lack of accompanying resources like schools and GPs, and loss of habitat for wildlife.

They say the Poulton and Carelton areas have been swamped with new housing and that the area can’t take any more.

Now Network Rail, which owns, maintains, and develops the railway infrastructure across mainland Britain, is objecting as well.

In a new submission to the planning portal, the company states: “Network Rail is objecting to this proposal – due to the potential for an increase of risk due to increasing traffic over Carleton Level Crossing.

“The crossing is already one of our busiest, and due to the existing barrier down time, level of usage, and instances of blocking back, any additional traffic would be strongly discouraged from a crossing safety and operational perspective.

“Network Rail Asset Protection (ASPRO) has also not received an enquiry for this site from the developer. The main interfaces look to be drainage and boundary treatment. “

The objectors also includes Wyre councillors from both the Labour and Conservative parties.

One of the councillors, Tythebarn member Cllr Colette Birch, said: “I share the safety concerns about the crossing and the road itself.

“The objection by an organisation like Network Rail lends some gravitas to the opposition to this development. Surely the planners will take this into consideration.”

The development has been earmarked for a large area of farmland off The Lane, bounded by Blackpool Road and Blackpool Old Road and to the east of Carleton Crematorium.

The outline application, submitted by Blackpool Council,  is for residential development of up to 99 dwellings and associated open space, landscaping and infrastructure.

A planning statement concludes: “The scale of development proposed is in keeping with the scale and function of Poulton-le-Fylde as one of the main towns in the district and there is also no reason why a high quality design could not be secured in line with relevant Development Plan policy.

“Ultimately, when the economic, social and environmental impacts are considered together, the proposals comprise sustainable development and there are no impacts which outweigh the aforementioned benefits.

“Moreover, the application complies with the relevant policies of the adopted Local Plan and as such, outline permission ought to be granted. “