Businesses seek compensation

Businesses in a north Staffordshire village are seeking compensation for the trade they have lost because of the closure of two level crossings.

The two crossings were closed for maintenance work on the West Coast Mainline in Barlaston.

They were closed for three days last month which meant people had a 15 mile round trip to get from one side of the village to the other.

Andrew Green, from Lease Garage, in Barlaston says his takings were down by 75%.

Brick wall

"There's nothing we can do about it, every time we speak to Network Rail they don't seem to be interested.

"I think we are entitled to some form of compensation.

"We pay enough business rates, we pay £12,000 a year so we hope the council may be able to help us out.

"We just seem to be bashing our head against a brick wall."