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27
Sept 2022
Firefighters and councillors make calls to improve Starbeck crossing
Firefighters and councillors have called on Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative police, fire and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, to tackle the long-running issue of Starbeck crossing holding up emergency vehicles.
As many as nine trains an hour can pass through Starbeck Station heading to Leeds or York.
It means when the barriers are down there are waits of several minutes for all vehicles, including fire engines, police cars and ambulances.
At a Harrogate Borough Council meeting last night, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hookstone, Pat Marsh, asked Ms Metcalfe if she'd had feedback from firefighters about the problem as she believes delays could potentially be costing lives.
Cllr Marsh said:
In response, Ms Metcalfe said the problem has been raised to her by both firefighters at Harrogate and Knaresborough fire stations.
However, she said firefighters "know exactly what times trains come and go" and can also use other routes to avoid the crossing.
Ms Metcalfe said:
Read more:
- Starbeck railway signaller carries on centuries-old tradition
- Starbeck groups call truce and promise to work ‘positively together’
Her response didn't please fellow Conservative and councillor for Old Bilton, Paul Haslam, who also chairs Transport for the North's scrutiny committee.
Cllr Haslam told Ms Metcalfe he was "a little disappointed that you weren't upset about the crossing at Starbeck", particularly as it's an issue that was raised to her by the firefighters themselves.
He added:
Ms Metcalfe promised Cllr Haslam that she would raise the issue with Network Rail.
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