Appy first birthday to Thatcham level crossing app

Hundreds of drivers now using LevelX one year on

HUNDREDS of frustrated drivers have downloaded an app which alerts them as to when Thatcham’s level crossing barriers are down.

Almost 700 people have registered for the LevelX app since it launched in September last year.

The LevelX app notifies frustrated motorists when the gates are due to close, allowing motorists to plan their journey in advance.

The system uses data feeds from Network Rail, as well as a camera feed to provide the exact closing times of the gates.

The app is the creation of Thatcham residents Simon Carter and Steve Ardagh-Walter who viewed it as a short-term solution to Thatcham’s crossing woes.

Mr Ardagh-Walter, who is the deputy leader of Thatcham Town Council and also sits on West Berkshire Council, said he was delighted with the number of people using the app.

He said that feedback had been very positive.

“People have been very appreciative, and have said the app has helped them avoid many of the queues,” he said.

Mr Ardagh-Walter said he and Mr Carter were looking to improve the app so that it could be used safely in a car and adding automatic but non-intrusive alerts.

He said the further development would need funding, which was proving slow to acquire.

The team are also looking to expand the app to cover other crossings similar to Thatcham, having had discussions with councils including Bramley and Wokingham.

And, with the council and Network Rail telling the that there are no plans to build a bridge at Thatcham or Colthrop, fed up drivers may have to rely on the app to avoid being stuck in queues around the station.

“While the app is here and working now, it can’t get you home any quicker if you have to drive over the level crossing at a particular time,” Mr Ardagh-Walter said.

“A bridge would be ideal from a road user’s perspective, but this doesn’t seem likely over the next few years.”

For more information and to download the app visit www.levelx.info