We've only moved just over 5 miles but we didn't know this area at all before moving here. Although of course we did have a good look around when looking for a house and there were a number of things we wanted on our check list.
One of the quirky things in our area is that we have a level crossing in the centre of town. Trains run from Chingford (just to the north of us) to Liverpool Street in Central London. Trains run every 15 minutes in both directions so the crossing closes at least 8 times an hour. The warning sound goes, the lights flash and then the barriers come down. And then we wait!
It's not usually down for too long and actually pedestrians don't need to wait as there is an underpass that goes under the tracks. Of course if the barriers malfunction you can be there for a while. Sometimes if the trains are a little out of kilter the barriers can seem to be down for ages but in situations like that a few minutes can feel much longer.
It's been a bit chaotic down there this week because of this:
Photo from Facebook Photo from Facebook
This is the other side of the crossing. A circular hole approx. 2 foot wide opened up earlier this week and quickly became a major problem. Apparently it's due to a burst water main. Traffic is only being allowed across the level crossing in one direction and bus routes are on diversion.
It has been very chaotic and a major talking point on social media.
The latest news is that the leak has been identified and fixed but they now have to fill in the huge hole. Hopefully that won't take too long as we're currently experiencing a lot of extra traffic on our road plus 2 extra bus routes using it.
Still it could be worse - at least the hole was caused by a burst pipe and not a bomb.
It was fun to see pictures of and learn about the area where you live.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb
DeleteThat's a good idea to write about where you live ! The transport possibilities sound great, from Waterloo to Brussels we have one train all half hours but only until 10 am then it's one per hour. The bus is usually a lottery game, it is seldom on time ! It's a catastrophe the public transport. From here where I live now it's close to the station but no bus at all to get to Waterloo ! I suppose you are also enjoying the nice rain we have every day !
ReplyDeleteYes we've had a lot of rain but the last couple of days have been better.
DeleteWhen Joe and I moved to Lakeland 35 years ago, we were not used to trains and train crossings. We moved here from the Washington DC area where trains went under or over but never blocked the roadways. If it is a passenger train, the wait is minimal, but if it is a cargo train the wait is sometimes 10 minutes. Those 10 minutes seem like a half hour, and when the traffic backs up, you sometimes have to wait through the light changes at the intersections for 3 or 4 changes. We learned quickly which streets go under the tracks or over. There are only a few but impatient people like me will drive the extra few miles to not have to wait on the trains. So spoiled. Hope the hole gets filled quickly!!
ReplyDeleteThe hole is now fixed and road is fully open. No freight trains thankfully on this route so the wait time isn't too bad.
DeleteWe have a train crossing right across the street from us. They built an overpass and moved the tracks up there. Now there is no waiting even if a train is coming.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there really isn't the scope to do that here. And actually it stops a lot of through traffic - google maps tends to take you around Highams Park rather than through it!
DeleteMight have been just as big of a blast...
ReplyDeleteWell they do keep finding unexploded WW2 bombs in some areas!
DeleteThere's a freight train track not far from me. People are sometimes careless (stupid) at the stop light and stop on the tracks.
ReplyDeleteWhen we had a petrol shortage a while back the cars were queuing for the garage just past the crossing and there were times when cars were on the crossing - so dangerous!
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