Woolhampton Swing Bridge opening, Berkshire

Date filmed: 15/09/2023
Video filmed at 11:22
Route: Kennet & Avon Canal
Location: Station Road, Woolhampton
A video featuring an opening at this small swing bridge in the village of Woolhampton near Newbury, Berkshire. Here it is seen swinging open for a small canal boat which had only just navigated Woolhampton Lock. Users are given a key to operate the bridge from an adjacent control panel when they wish to pass, and they have to check the bridge is clear before operating it. The bridge deck is protected by 'Newgate' barriers and 'Pike' LED wigwags, one of which is very unusual as it has just the twin red lights, and no amber light. It's the one on the left in this video, and starts flashing red immediately when the other one on this side shows the amber light. Relays can quite clearly be heard clicking in the lights as the reds alternate too, something a little characteristic about this brand of wigwag / road traffic light. The alarm is most likely a fire alarm sounder which sounds both when the barriers lower and raise. Only around 450ft along this road is Midgham Station (Berkshire's Least-used Station) and the level crossing beside it.
Apologies about the backlit shot and slight lens flare in this video. I was faced with a rather difficult choice when filming this: either film on the wrong side for the sun, or risk having issues with music coming from the small pub/restaurant next to it. Nonetheless, I hope you're able to enjoy this video!
Thanks for watching!

[@SouthWestCrossingsUK]

Really cool this is! Great video!

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thanks very much! 👍

[@NWLevelCrossings]

Nice Catch!👍🏻👍🏻

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thank you!

[@sambee8982]

That's a bit strange for one of the wigwags to not have an amber light, and flash red alongside the amber period on the other wigwag, but that's how wigwags originally were before 1969, just having twin flashing red lights and after a period of time when the lights flash red during the alarm, the barriers lower.

[@UKLevelCrossingAndBridges]

I think they are used because they have decided to not change it, or it stayed because replacing it might hit something.

[@keanubrando3228]

Nice and crossing video

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thanks!

[@keanubrando3228]

@@SouthEastLevelCrossings your welcome

[@jekitabot12]

Not gonna lie this looks awesome from a foreigner

[@NorthWestLevelCrossingsChannel]

Great video as usual 👍

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thanks!

[@freebrickproductions]

Nice! I'd argue this side's the more interesting one anyways, lol.

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Thank you! Definitely, although I still didn't want to film from this side with the lighting as it was, but kinda had no choice...

[@HelloThisIsRed27Gaming]

Nice. Did you catch Midgham Level Crossing?

[@SouthEastLevelCrossings]

Glad you enjoyed. I did indeed!

[@EastAngliaLevelCrossingsUK]

The small light 💀

[@sambee8982]

I don't know why the amber light is absent from that wigwag, but I think that there should be enough space for it, but I would've put in a horizontal wigwag like the one that used to be at Lincoln High Street Level Crossing, or even put in a portrait shaped wigwag there....