Friends of Long Rock Mexico Crossing Committee Meeting 03.01.

2013
Present: Rob Nance (Chair), Nick Tregenza (Vice-chair), Helen Eynon (Secretary), Julie Smart, Dick Thatcher, Roy Cleghorn, Peggy Tregoning 1. Meeting Minutes of the meeting held on 1st Jan, which 21 residents attended was reviewed and finalised. 2. Roy gave feedback regarding a conversation he had with Graham Ronan from PAROW (Penwith Area Rights of Way). PAROW are interested in closed off footpaths, and often assist residents if they can prove continuous use. Roy asked him to liaise with Jeremy Edwards. 3. Rob gave feedback regarding a phone call he had with Toby Meyjers Meyjes from The Cornishman, in which Rob voiced concerns about some of the reporting on this issue. Toby assured Rob that they are keen to report on the issue in a fair manner. 4. Rob informed the group about our new Facebook Page, friendsoflongrockmexicocrossing. For those who use fb, this is a quick and convenient way to communicate and spread the word. 5. Petitions: The petition on paper_now has approx 400 signatures. Over 99% of Long Rock residents have signed this it. We agreed that we will try to add to this by asking other users of the crossing (eg people who holiday here, families who visit, etc). The Long Rock shop has the petition on their its counter and there is also an online petition, but this is not so well known, and has fewer signatures so far: http://www.activism.com/en_GB/petition/keep-long-rock-pedestrian-railcrossing-open/41137 6. Publicity: Julie suggested that a photo shoot at the crossing gate would be useful publicity. All agreed. 7. Dick provided info about the crossing and its history: There was a crossing over the road that used to be there before the railway was put there (c1852?). It used to be 2 tracks, now only one track. Until the 1960s there was an automatic gate, but when it was changed to a single line and the signal box was moved back, the automatic locks taken off. (?? The locking gates were gone before the line was reduced to a single, I think.) There were no known fatalities or injuries (??) on the crossing until October 2011. Network rail claims that there was a fatality in 1972, but people residing in Long Rock at the time concur that Mrs Mayo had died on the track whilst chasing a dog, NOT whilst trying to use the crossing (so one fatality in 150+ years perhaps?). Dick pointed out that that RAIB do safety checks every 3 years.

8. Roy said that he spoke to Network Rail in Swindon (Patricia Agbarakwe), who told him that their Liabilities Manager had said that originally this crossing was a private access. However all residents of long-standing dont think this is the case it has been a public right of way for years. Roy said that he feels that Network Rail is only interested in saving money, it is not about safety. They have an agenda to meet their target of closing crossings, irrespective of public opinion. General consensus was agreement: 600 crossings have been closed since 2009, and their target is 750 by spring 2014 (this can be found on their website). 9. It was decided that we should have a public meeting, before Network Rail & Cornwall Council meet (near end of Jan to which we are not allowed representation). Decision: This meeting will be on Thursday 10th January, 7pm at Long Rock Memorial Institute. 10. Rob will make flyers to inform and invite Long Rock residents to the meeting, which will be delivered door to door (rota for this arranged). 11. Helen will issue invitations to: The County Coroner (Dr Emma Carlyon) Andrew George, MP Buert Biscoe (CC, Portfolio for Transport) Richard Sargeant, (and other reps of Ludgvan Parish Council) Graham Ronan (PAROW) Sue Nicholas Toby Meyjers Meyjes (reporter at Cornishman) Jeremy Edwards (CC, Highways) Network Rail Laurence Reed (Radio Cornwall Presenter) BBC Tim Andrewes (Green Party candidate who is a rural transport advisor)