The plan for a ‘timebomb’ level crossing that’s divided opinion in a Saddleworth village

A proposal to close off a ‘dangerous’ level crossing has divided opinions in a Saddleworth village.

Moorgate Halt Crossing in Uppermill, which leads to the popular Moorgate Quarry walking spot would be replaced by an underpass currently in a ‘treacherous’ state further down the track under the plans. 

The change would be a part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), which will see the train route between Manchester, Leeds and Huddersfield electrified, as well as improving accessibility and train services at stations like Greenfield.  

The works will make trains ‘faster, more regular and greener’, according to a TRU spokesperson.

But with speeds reaching up to 80mph, it would also ‘intolerably’ increase the risk of an accident at Moorgate Halt, some claim.

A neglected public underpass 440m – around a six minute walk – south of the crossing could ‘keep people safe and off the tracks’ if developed by the scheme, bosses say.

Views in the village are split.

“Not impressed,” an elderly lady told the Local Democracy Reporting Service outside the Saddleworth Museum, where TRU were holding a public consultation on Thursday.

“It’ll spoil the walk. People have gone across there without any problem for years so I don’t understand why they feel they have to move it.”

Down the road on Moorgate Road, which leads to the crossing, regular visitors from nearby Grasscroft said walkers ‘weren’t happy’ about the change. 

“A lot of the ramblers use it,” one said.

“All the walking clubs don’t want it moving because it’s blocking a public right of way.”

John Walton, a member of the Oldham Ramblers, has been fighting the change for months, defending the ‘ancient public footpath’ which he says has ‘been in place since before the year 1300’.

He has called for a footbridge to be built over the well-used crossing instead. 

TRU chiefs have ruled out a bridge because of ‘engineering complexity’.

Some people are in agreement with the organisation. 

Judith Killan, 80, who was just returning to her home on Moorgate Road after walking her dog, said she was against the idea of a bridge because ‘kids would congregate there’. 

“It alters the whole scenery,” she added.

“And we don’t want building works and neither do our neighbours.” 

Others simply thought it was a ‘necessary’ step in the a long-overdue overhaul of the country’s rail infrastructure.

“It’s going to be safer,” a man, who asked not to be named, said.

“This is really positive. We need better rail infrastructure and this is just a part of that.”  

The argument for the new crossing ultimately hinges around safety.

At the public consultation, TRU screened footage of two near-misses at the crossing, where train drivers had to slam on the emergency breaks as pedestrians made last-minute ditches across the tracks. 

A spokesperson also claimed a five-day survey had recorded several ‘misuses’ of the railway there, such as people leaving stones on the tracks or taking selfies in the middle of the crossing.

One visitor even described the crossing as a ‘timebomb’ with an accident waiting to happen. 

David, who attended the consultation with partner Elizabeth, has lived in Uppermill for 40 years and uses the crossing regularly, said: “We can see the point in them closing the crossing.

"I use it all the time and I’m nervous of it. There are some very fast trains.” 

But the couple had concerns about the replacement underpass – and who would maintain it once it was upgraded. 

“It’s almost unnavigable and dangerous and water washes down it, and rocks and gravel,” Elizabeth said. 

“So, it may not be practicable to upgrade the path,” David finished her sentence.

“Because it’ll all be washed away and they’ll have to come back and do it again.

"It might be worth fighting for the foot bridge instead.” 

Another Uppermill resident and walking enthusiast, Pamely Hughes, 77, agreed, though she said she was ‘neutral’ on the proposal.  

“[Moorgate Halt] is a foot path I’ve used for many years, and always found it quite safe,” she said.

“I’ve also used the alternative that they’re proposing which is in a bad state at the moment.

"Very steep and very uneven. It’s treacherous quite honestly.

“But if they make a decent footpath there it will work.

"The fact that it’s 400 metres extra I don’t think is a big deal.

"Because loads of people who are using it are walkers so you’ve got to be good on your feet to use that path in any case.”  

Mark Ashton, sponsor for TRU, told the LDRS: “[The upgrade] is going to change the hazard environment of users who will use the crossing to a point where it won’t be tolerable for Network Rail to accept.

"We’ll upgrade the existing right of way so people can use it to compensate the loss of Moorgate Halt. 

“We know this level crossing has had a number of near misses through misuse.

"We look to eliminate the risk for people to come into conflict with trains.

"We’ve looked at all the different options and feel that this is the best proposal.” 

But maintenance of the public footpath would technically fall to Oldham Council once the upgrade is complete.

The local authority could request a ‘commuted sum’ – a financial package promised to the local authority to help with the future upkeep of the crossing – though this is as of yet unconfirmed. 

Councillor Josh Charters, who helps lead on transport at the council, said: “The TransPennine Route Upgrade is a multi-million pound scheme that will bring many benefits, including faster passenger and freight services.

“Some local residents and groups have already voiced their opinions publicly on the proposals and I would urge anyone else who has a view to take part in the consultation before it closes on December 20.”

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