We have received confirmation that the Rail Standards Safety Board have issued a ‘Certificate of Deviation’ for Low Moor.
The certificate of deviation is required so that the railway station can be built on the existing curve. – It would have been extremely costly to attempt to straighten the track in the area – effectively moving the curve. However due the presence of a high-pressure gas main, and the risks of old mine working, for these important safety reasons the station can now be built on a curve. – Normally a new station cannot be built on a curve.
Network Rail and Metro have undertaken site testing and confirmed that the pre-existing curve will not cause an excess gap between the train and the platform. – A major concern of curved platforms.
This major stumbling block has now been removed. Funding for the station is still short by £1.7m, but £5.5m remains ring fenced. The station is due to open in December 2015.
You can support the developments by joining BRUG (£3p/a), or the Friends of Low Moor Railway Station
Bradford Rail Users Group 