I REFER to your article headlined “Attempts made to tackle rising rail congestion” regarding the problems in Northallerton caused by the level crossings (D&S Times, Jul 22).

In the mid-1960s, I joined what was then British Rail and eventually became a relief signalman covering signal boxes in both the Darlington and Northallerton areas.

I recall that concern was being expressed over the condition of Yarm viaduct and the possibility of the line being closed between Northallerton and Eaglescliffe. The suggestion to overcome this problem was to reinstate the line between what was then the Geneva signal box, to the east of Darlington, and the Croft box on the East Coast Main Line and divert all rail traffic onto this new south-east chord so that it could head east to Teesside from the mainline.

If this idea was looked at again it would alleviate all the level crossing problems in the Northallerton area.

Yes, there would be a slight increase in rail journey times, but in one fell swoop the level crossings at Low Gates, Romanby and Boroughbridge Road would all be closed plus all the other level crossings on this line towards Eaglescliffe.

I hear howls of protest from the rail users at Yarm as this station would be closed.

Allens West and Teesside Airport stations could be upgraded to park and ride.

It would also mean some track reinstatement at Eryholme and possibly between Castle Hills in Northallerton and Wiske Moor to cater for the increase in rail traffic along this portion of line, but the savings would be significant.

N Hugill, Stillington, York