The fully-renewed Chartham Level Crossing, Kent

This video features one pre-renewal and four post-renewal shots of the level crossing in Chartham a few miles out of Canterbury. These post-renewal shots were taken on the first day of operation for the new level crossing!

Dates filmed:
Pre renewal: 27/05/2021 | Post renewal: 19/12/2022
Videos filmed at
Pre renewal: 12:26 | Post renewal: 15:11, 15:18, 15:26, 15:38

Route: Ashford to Ramsgate Line
Chartham Station

Crossing type:
Previously: Manually-operated Gates crossing (MG)
Now: Manually Controlled Barriers crossing with CCTV (MCB-CCTV)

Location: Station Road, Chartham
Trains featured:
Pre-renewal video - 0:00
Class 395 (Southeastern) - 0:52
Margate ➡ St. Pancras International
-
Post-renewal lowering 1 - 2:26
2 Class 377s (Southeastern) - 4:09
Ramsgate E.M.U.D. ➡ Ashford International
-
Post-renewal lowering 2 - 4:41
Class 375 (Southeastern) - 6:20
London Charing Cross ➡ Ramsgate
-
Post-renewal lowering 3 - 6:51
1) Class 395 (Southeastern) - 8:03
St. Pancras International ➡ Margate

2) 2 Class 395s (Southeastern) - 8:40
Margate ➡ St. Pancras International
-
Post-renewal lowering 4 - 9:17
2 Class 375s (Southeastern) - 10:31
Ramsgate ➡ London Charing Cross

A level crossing located next to Chartham Station in the small Kent village of Chartham near Canterbury. Throughout December 2022, this level crossing was given a full renewal; what was once a manual level crossing with two hand-operated gates, which were opened and closed by a signaller based in the signal box next to it, is now a level crossing with wigwags (road traffic lights), four lifting barriers, and four audible alarms controlled remotely from Canterbury and monitored via CCTV. The old signal box has been left and preserved and still stands next to the level crossing. Two LED pedestrian lights have been provided for the side of the road closest to the station. The wigwags facing the road from Chartham village were very obscured by clutter when approaching the level crossing from that direction at the time of filming (note: one of the pictures at the end of the video was taken from up the road on the A28 side of the level crossing, the opposite side to that described).

Since filming, temporary fencing has been replaced by permanent fencing as there were still a few final bits of work to be done at the time. The requirement for trains to sound their horns on departure or passing has also since gone thanks to the addition of Miniature Stop Lights at Dibleys Footpath Level Crossing nearby, and the whistle board just over the crossing has also gone. Finally, apologies about any slightly ropy camerawork in this video.

Thanks for watching!