House next to a level crossing...thoughts?

hazyjo

Ellie007 wrote: »

This thread is quite spooky! On Sunday I was sitting on the bench outside the new Tesco at HP with hubby munching on a Subway (classy!), and the barriers came down twice in this period. I said to him how extremely annoying it would be to live right by it (I could just hear it from our house when we lived in HP, but it was very faint - the good thing was that I knew not to bother running for the train if I heard it as I left in the morning!)

I guess though that you would get used to it, but not my location of first choice!

It's such a small world, isn't it lol!

It really is a piercing sound when you're close (actually, you didn't have to even be that close), and, like you, it was quite handy knowing just how much time you had lol - would run under the subway if the bleeps had just started! I would hate to have lived any nearer!

As above, it's the cars waiting that can be more of a problem though. Music from windows, people chatting or shouting to those still stuck on the other side of the tracks (often), bibbing horns (people barge in left right and centre, or turn round if there for more than 5 mins) at Highams Park.

Jx

EmmaHerts

Where I live some of the best houses are next to the crossing, so I guess it isn't always an issue every where?

Brock_and_Roll

The "beep" at our crossing is just a very quiet tinkle for a few seconds before the gates go down so it is no bother - however ours is a manned level crossing so this may well not be the norm.

As I said previously, these are things the buyer can check out - harder to observe are idiots at 5.30 am or 11pm blasting out techno, or even worse Garth Brooks from their open windows.

It all comes down to price and location - being next to the crossing enabled us to buy a 6 bedroom house in the middle of a beautiful national park but with a 30 second walk for my commuting train to London - something we could not have afforded if not for the close proximity to the railway line.

Strapped

Personally, I wouldn't. I lived for a year next to a pelican crossing, and that was bad enough.

LondonDreamer

olly300 wrote: »

They replaced loads of tracks once over a warm bank holiday so couldn't open windows for 4 nights. The sound of metal on metal put my teeth on plus the bright lights disrupted my sleep. I actually went else where for 2 nights.

I have to agree with this. I used to live opposite an (above ground) tube station. The trains themselves didn't bother me, it was the track works that were the most irritating. Only happened to this level once in three years, but it was not at all pleasant. Only other issue I had was the handful of drunks coming home (usually singing loudly, lol) on the last Friday/Saturday night tube if I happened to still be awake.

I think it's going to come down to how busy the crossing is more than anything else. I doubt a quiet country crossing wouldn't bother me at all, but one in the middle of a large town that has a steady stream of traffic would. 4 trains an hour in peak sounds like a fairly active station (although 2 each way wouldn't be so bad) so I would try to view at school/commuter times (and last train time, if you can face hanging around for it) to see what congestion/noise it creates around the house.

hazyjo

Brock_and_Roll wrote: »

The "beep" at our crossing is just a very quiet tinkle for a few seconds before the gates go down so it is no bother - however ours is a manned level crossing so this may well not be the norm.

I suspect that's the difference. The Highams Park one used to be manned. It's now automated (if that's the right term!). As I said, you can never predict what might happen years down the line.

A gentle little warning would be fine. Seen tonnes of little crossings in Spain and it was no bother at all. But the HP one was a VERY LOUD RING that went on for quite a while, very regularly.

Jx

bylromarha

Thanks all for your input - it's appreciated.

Brock and Roll - you have put my mind at rest!

We currently live on an alternative to the main road, so are used to the nutters in the summer at midnight with wide windows and drum and bass.

Hadn't thought about line works, so thanks for that.

I asked the EA about freight trains and he said the line isn't used for freight - have tried checking online, but can't find it on open train times. Don't think they have freight on OTT as I looked at Reading and they have no freight trains going through. 2 trains to London, 2 trains from London every hour going through.

Seller has lived there 25 years+. We're relocating 170 miles across the country, so several trips at different times of the day on different days just isn't an option.

It comes back to the dream house at the dream price - it's just the location which is holding us back.

OH was not even wanting to view, but as we had a day full of househunting, I persuaded him to give it a go. He couldn't believe how much of a problem the level crossing wasn't when we were in the house, or how quiet the trains were.

It has become our no.1 choice - the secondary catchment area will always make it saleable to families like us. Other local secondaries don't hold a candle to the school this house falls in the catchment of.

Just need to get another offer on this house - the first one that allowed us go house hunting fell through a few days ago.

G_M

I love level crossings. I'd spend all day watching....

Riggster

I'd rather live near a railway line than a busy road (intact I do and am immenantly buying another house on a railway line). Not sure about level crossings though. I'd suggest "stalking" the house and spending lots of time parked up to see (listen) how significant the noise is.

Dan-Dan

I can understand the OP`s thoughts , sometimes , even if you know in your own mind what choice you will make , you feel the need to ask the views of thousnds of others anyway....go with your convictions......or your wife`s if your me !