Trains bring traffic fears

Fears have been raised that traffic congestion in the town will worsen when the train service between Nottingham and Bingham doubles later this year.

Mr Dave Harley (56) of Willow Road, Bingham, said the increase in the number of trains running through the town will cause chaos on the roads near the level crossing on Kirk Hill.

He said: “There are implications on the road where the level crossing is. The gates are going to be down nearly all day long.

“Bingham will come to a standstill.”

He said the situation, particularly during morning rush hour, was already a problem.

Large volumes of traffic are left at a standstill for several minutes when the barriers go down to let two trains travelling in the opposite direction pass.

This blocks most of Kirk Hill and Fairfield Street and quite often drivers pull out at the traffic lights without realising the traffic is not moving, which obstructs other vehicles at the junction.

Mr Dave Harley said: “The gates are down for a long long time. It causes an almighty tail back. They are going to get that all day long.”

He said he was not against an improved train service but was concerned about congestion.

Stagecoach, which took over the East Midlands Trains franchise in November, announced plans to run hourly trains to the city at the start of the year.

The trains will arrive at Bingham at the same time each hour.

There will also be extra trains stopping at Bingham at peak times in the morning and evening.

The extra trains running between Skegness and Nottingham and stopping at Bingham is part of a package of improvements agreed by the operator.

The timetable changes have been welcomed by those who use the rail services from Bingham.

But Mr Harley said plans to modernise the crossing should be put in place before the number of trains increase in November.

Mr John Eagles, a member of Bingham Town Council, said because of the position of the signal box, the barrier at the level crossing went down around four minutes earlier for trains that come from Grantham and stop at the station in Bingham.

He said he had yet to see a copy of the new timetable so was unsure if the changes would increase congestion.

He said there might not necessarily be a large increase in the number of trains who will use the line, just an increase in the number that stop in Bingham.