assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1155226/rother-valley-decision-letter.pdf
Save for a small stretch of dual carriage way around Lamberhurst, the A21 from London to Hastings is single carriageway between Royal Tunbridge Wells and Hastings.
The A21 is one of the most dangerous A roads in the south of England.
It's the only main road in to Hastings, which is one of the poorest towns in the South East, and which has been crying out for better transport links to encourage investment and jobs growth.
The Govt. has decided to allow a level crossing across the Robertsbridge by pass for the Rother Valley Railway - a hobby railway that serves no other purpose then as a tourist railway. Apparently a bridge or tunnel is unsuitable. This will cause delays and frustrated drivers will no doubt try to make up time with dangerous overtaking manoeuvres on an already dangerous road.
To allow such an organisation to build a level crossing (and allow the compulsory purchase of land from people who have confirmed that they don't want to sell it) is outrageous considering this is not an infrastructure project that will benefit anyone by the people that run the hobby railway.
The comments made in the report re congestion make it clear that no-one writing it has actually travelled on the A21 recently or even put a temporary restriction in place to mirror the effect of a level crossing - if they did - they would realise that traffic would quickly build up around the area as it does when there are minor accidents.
Thousands have protested against this, signed petitions and representations and have been ignored.
Rant over.
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NEW Level Crossing on A21 for hobby railw.. new
NEW Level Crossing on A21 for hobby rail.. new
