Sheringham Road and Rail Work Synchronised to Minimise Disruption

There’ll be an open public meeting in the buffet at Sheringham Poppy Line Station on Friday 29th January, from 7.00 – 8.30pm. NNR directors will be on hand to explain the plans and answer any questions. Work to remodel the roundabout at the junction of the A149 and Station and Holway Roads in Sheringham has been synchronised by Norfolk Country Council with the work to reinstate the level crossing connecting the Poppy Line to the national rail network.

There will inevitably be some disruption, but the schedule is designed to keep this to the minimum by carrying out both projects at the same time. Work on the railway has already started, with Poppy Line volunteers set to lay track across the footpath on Otterndorf Green and install a footway level crossing. From 26th January to 9th February, traffic in Station Road/Station Approach will be regulated by temporary traffic lights whilst telecoms cables and chambers undergo strengthening work. From 15th February to 6th March, Station Road will be closed to traffic between the entrances to the main car park and the Bittern Line car park, for the installation of the new crossing. Diversions will be set up for road traffic, but the main car park will remain accessible from the A149 direction, and there will be pedestrian access across Otterndorf Green between Station Road and the car park. Importantly, the main part of Station Road and the left-turn access from Station Approach will remain open throughout. There will be pedestrian access to the Bittern Line station, but the car parking spaces will be unavailable.

The crossing will be opened on Thursday March 11th, at around 2.00pm. Well-known pop impresario and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman OBE will perform the opening ceremony, assisted by steam loco “Oliver Cromwell”, one of the last steam engines built for British Railways over 50 years ago. The engine will be hauling a special train from Liverpool Street and be the first to cross Station Road for 46 years. Pete Waterman is a legend in the pop music industry helping to produce and write hit songs for such artistes as Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley and Steps among others. Over some thirty years in the pop industry he has been credited with over 200 hit songs. Pete Waterman’s life-long enthusiasm for trains is also legendary and he is also well-known for his huge interest in railway modelling. North Norfolk Railway project director Steven Ashling said: “I hope that Sheringham residents, traders and visitors will be patient during the construction
works – once installed, the crossing will mean valuable extra business for the town.”