Cambodia News, (Phnom Penh): A protest erupted at around 4:30 pm on November 25, 2022 at the train station in Prey Sala village, Sangkat Kakap II, Khan Por Senchey, Phnom Penh, when residents of two villages, Prey Sala and Chamkar Ovulk,discovered that the Royal Railway Company had blocked off the access road to their village, which used to cross the railway line.


According to the villagers, more than 200 families living in Chamkar Ovulk village (behind Wat Tang Krasang North) and Prey Sala village have been crossing the railway for a long time, but on the morning of November 25, 2022, for some reason, the Royal Railway Company put up six stone pillars and blocked the road to prevent cars from crossing the railway tracks.


The people of the two villages were very angry at the railway, and the many of them gathered in the afternoon to protest and they soon removed the poles.


Local residents have now requested that the Phnom Penh City Administration make the railway company put up moveable road barriers if the crossing is dangerous, instead of using posts which block the road to all traffic all of the time.

It would be interesting to track the decision making process that arrived at this act.

Clearly there was a problem with a road crossing the rail tracks. Possibly train drivers had reported instances of near misses with cars that were crossing the tracks.

Now, whether it was an individuals decision or a group decision doesnt matter, someone signed off on this.
Someone, somewhere in authority, thought the best solution was to block the access to the crossing. Zero thought was given to the consequences of blocking access.

IraHayes wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:09 am It would be interesting to track the decision making process that arrived at this act.

Clearly there was a problem with a road crossing the rail tracks. Possibly train drivers had reported instances of near misses with cars that were crossing the tracks.

Now, whether it was an individuals decision or a group decision doesnt matter, someone signed off on this.
Someone, somewhere in authority, thought the best solution was to block the access to the crossing. Zero thought was given to the consequences of blocking access.

Maybe, maybe not. Cutting corners, and finding the shortest route even if a 'new road' has to be created, are national hobby number one. Maybe this isn't an official road but a convenient 'village created' shortcut? In which case the railway company has every right to block it.

Bikes are fine, so too tuk-tuks and pedestrians, but cars are not.

Is this the first instance of a big company doing something that only affects the rich in a negative way?

Username Taken wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 9:07 am

Doc67 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 8:59 am Is this the first instance of a big company doing something that only affects the rich in a negative way?

Baiting @Brody again, eh?



btw, don't you mean 'affects the poor'?

Not intentionally baiting Brody, how so? (I never intentionally bait Brody, that would not end well)

The bollards only affect the rich, cars could not use the road. Or have I missed your point?

Anyway, they didn't last a single day so it's all moot now.

It's clear from the photos that any larger vehicle will have to stop on the tracks as it waits for an opportunity to join the main road. The problem is the tracks running too close to the road and leaving too little room to maneuver.

ali baba wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:14 am It's clear from the photos that any larger vehicle will have to stop on the tracks as it waits for an opportunity to join the main road. The problem is the tracks running too close to the road and leaving too little room to maneuver.

They stop at junctions now? Since when?


(@Username Taken That's Brody baiting!)

Doc67 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:35 am (That's Brody baiting!)

Doc67 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:35 am

ali baba wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:14 am It's clear from the photos that any larger vehicle will have to stop on the tracks as it waits for an opportunity to join the main road. The problem is the tracks running too close to the road and leaving too little room to maneuver.

They stop at junctions now? Since when?


(@Username Taken That's Brody baiting!)

Since the junctions get blocked.
Level crossings near road junctions are a problem internationally.