Snargate Crossing; Grove Lane Crossing; Bowdell Crossing; and King Street Crossing

Level crossings on the Dungeness Branch between Appledore Station and Brookland Station (or Brookland Halt), listed running north to south. Looking at the crossings in succession from public viewpoints gives a reasonable overview of the Dungeness Branch as a whole.

The total number of crossings on this branch is listed in some reference works as 14, but this is not really an accurate reflection of the number of crossing points as agricultural facilities and foot crossings also have to be considered. Some of the road crossings no longer have any value except to adjacent properties. I have a list of 50 crossing points that existed on the current stretch of the line, comprising 14 operational road crossings; 5 current public footpaths; 17 operational accommodation crossings (private agricultural facilities); and 14 accommodation crossings and foot crossings that have closed and are no longer used. Obviously the list changes and it was last updated in March 2015.

The branch actually runs south east from Appledore. The convention adopted in these collections is that Appledore is north, Dungeness is south, the New Romney side of the branch is east, and the Lydd side of the branch is west.

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After leaving Appledore there are six private agricultural crossings: Accommodation bridge number 1833 under the railway; Ashley's Accommodation Crossing; and Body's No.1, No.2, No.3, and No.4 Accommodation Crossings. (Body's No.5 Crossing has been closed and no longer exists). All these farming facilities are on private land and are not pictured. Snargate Crossing is the first of many public road crossings on the Dungeness Branch. This view looks north as the line curves round from the junction west of Appledore Station. One of many drainage channels passes under the line adjacent to the crossing (Culvert 1838) and the tiny yellow triangle in the bottom left hand corner of the photo tells workers that this is a Legally Protected Environment Site. They need to check with their supervisor before doing any work. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
All the public road crossings on the line are named (presumably to prevent confusion between the numerous different crossings) but Snargate Crossing has a temporary sign. Nothing unusual in that, except that the sign carried graffiti dated 30.9.1992. Delivery of the new sign is, no doubt, in hand? At one time, when the crossings had gates, a crossing keepers cottage stood at each public crossing. Most no longer exist and only a small patch of level ground remains to give a clue to where they were sited. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Snargate Crossing looking east, with the drainage channel on the left. The sight lines at this crossing are much better than elsewhere. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Snargate Crossing looking west. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
One of the amusing features of the crossings is that the supplier of the Network Rail crossing names is frequently at variance with the firm who supplied the blue signs for the road traffic. In this case the sign wrongly states Snar Gate Crossing. It gets worse further down the line... 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Snargate Crossing looking south towards Dungeness. When there were gates on this crossing the crossing keeper's cottage (since demolished) stood on the east side of the line, south of the road (to the left in this picture). The fence on the left probably represents the extent of the original garden. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Looking south from Snargate Crossing with a longer lens. The next crossing point, seen in the foreground, is Welstead Accommodation Crossing (an agricultural facility), but in this case the crossing is shared by a public footpath that leads west from the village of Snargate (to the east of the line). In turn the public road crossing gets it's name from the village. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Changing angle slightly, the close proximity of the crossings on the line can be seen. Trains are warned of ungated public crossings by the black cross on a white background, the sign being installed at braking distance from the crossing. Warnings for the next two crossings can be seen in this view. Snargate Crossing 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
The reverse of the previous view looking back from Grove Lane Crossing towards Snargate crossing, with Welstead Accommodation Crossing (plus the public footpath from Snargate) the nearest visible crossing point. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Pulling back, the actual view north from Grove Lane Crossing without the aid of a long lens. Jempson Accommodation Crossing was originally sited north of Grove Lane crossing, but this has been closed and no longer exists. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Grove Lane Crossing has a proper sign, although it could do with a clean. The original level crossing gate post can be seen clearly, the only such relic found at the crossings. This dates from the time when the branch was carrying passenger traffic. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Grove Lane Crossing looking west. Please note that Grove Lane is in such a poor condition that it is NOT suitable for ordinary vehicles from either direction. It is probably only used by occasional farm vehicles for access to adjacent fields. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
The signs at Grove Lane Crossing reflect the general neglected state of the road. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Turning round, this is the view east from the crossing. Tractors and 4x4 vehicles can use this lane but ordinary cars WILL ground owing to deep ruts and a raised central surface. Grove Lane Crossing 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Grove Lane Crossing looking east across the crossing. The need for this crossing has to be marginal at best. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Turning round, this is the view west from Grove Lane Crossing. This part of the road is in terrible condition, and it is little better than a bridleway. It is NOT suitable for cars. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Looking south from Grove Lane Crossing, with Bowdell Crossing in the distance. When there were gates on this crossing the crossing keeper's cottage (since demolished) stood on the east side of the line, south of the road (to the left in this picture). 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Looking south from Grove Lane Crossing with a longer lens, the warning signs for Bowdell Crossing can be seen. Slightly obscured are a 5mph speed restriction (this applies on all crossings) and a Whistle symbol. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
The reverse of the previous view, looking north from Bowdell Crossing back towards Grove Lane Crossing with a long lens. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Pulling back, this is the normal view north from Bowdell Crossing 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Bowdell Crossing has a nice modern sign, but they could have painted the poles! The crossing takes it's name from an adjacent farm on the east side of the line. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Bowdell Crossing looking east. In this case the person making the blue sign has decided to call it Bowdel Crossing. You only have to look at the map to get it right.... 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
The rather shaded westbound approach to Bowdell Crossing. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Bowdell Crossing looking west. A public footpath also crosses the line diagonally at this crossing and can be seen emerging from the trees on the right. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Slightly awkward sight lines caused by adjacent trees result in offset warning signs on the westbound road approach to Bowdell Crossing. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Looking south from Bowdell Crossing towards Dungeness. When there were gates on this crossing the crossing keeper's cottage (since demolished) stood on the east side of the line, south of the road (to the left in this picture, behind the posts). 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Looking south from Bowdell Crossing with a longer lens the warning signs for King Street Crossing can be seen. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Now at King Street Crossing this view looks back north. Bowdell Crossing is around the bend. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
A second view north from King Street Crossing without a long lens. A drainage channel (Culvert 1839) passes under the railway adjacent to the crossing. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
King Street Crossing looking east. The road runs in parallel to the A259 and forms a route to the village of Brenzett. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Signage at King Street Crossing. Unfortunately someone had stolen the main crossing nameplate adjacent to the track. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
King Street Crossing, looking west. This was one of the few crossings where I saw another vehicle, but it was a gentleman on a bicycle... 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
King Street Crossing looking south. The first two empty poles on the right should carry the name of the crossing, but the nameplate was nowhere to be seen. Looking at the dirt on the poles the plate may have gone missing some time ago. When there were gates on this crossing the crossing keeper's cottage (since demolished) stood on the west side of the line, south of the road (to the right in this picture). The posts on the right probably represent the extent of the original garden. 08.10.2008
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane
Looking south from King Street Crossing with a long lens. The next road crossing is at the former Brooklands Halt, but the Whistle sign and crossing warning board probably refer Hobbs Public Bridleway (Old House Lane) which crosses the track around the bend, north of Brooklands Halt. 08.10.2008 This area is covered in a separate gallery.
dungeness branch Snargate Crossing Grove Lane Crossing Bowdell Crossing King Street Crossing ashleys accommodation crossing bodys No.1 bodys No.2 bodys No.3 bodys No.4 bodys No.5 welstead jempson hobbs public bridleway old house lane