Spath

Spath, is a small village north of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, England. For population details as taken at the 2011 census see Uttoxeter Rural.

For other uses, see Spath (disambiguation).

Spath
Spath
Location within Staffordshire
OS grid referenceSK085352
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townUTTOXETER
Postcode districtST14 5
Dialling code01889
PoliceStaffordshire
FireStaffordshire
AmbulanceWest Midlands
UK Parliament

Spath is on the River Tean and is divided from Uttoxeter by the A50 road.

In UK railway history, Spath is notable as the site of the first automatic (i.e. train-operated) level crossing in the United Kingdom (AHBC - Automatic Half Barrier Crossing), which came into operation on 5 February 1961.[1] The railway has now been dismantled, the road which crossed it via the automatic crossing is now gated and only leads to a farm and there is no remaining visible sign of the crossing. More information about the development of the automatic barriers at Spath crossing can be found at the Derby Signalling web site.

Spath was the original home of Stevensons of Uttoxeter, a bus company which celebrated its 80th Anniversary in 2007.

Spath is sometimes used as slang, or shorthand, for "sociopath" or "psychopath".

Notes
  1. "News Summary: Automatic 'Gates'". Practical Motorist. 7 (81): 957. May 1961. Britain's first automatically operated level crossing barriers are now in operation at Spath Level Crossing near Uttoxeter. The barriers, electronically operated by an approaching train, consist of poles fixed each side of the road only, and are conspicuously marked with red and white bands. Additional warning is given by flashing red lights & gongs. See also unnamed 1961 publication quoted at "First BR Automatic Level Crossing Barriers". Rail Blue.


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