Footbridge plans at rail crossing

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A woman is caught on film running across the crossing with a pram

A footbridge may be built over a railway in Dorset, where there are concerns about the safety of pedestrians using a level crossing.

Network Rail said it would offer to support Dorset County Council by funding part of the cost.

The planned closure of the level crossing at Wareham has been supported by safety regulators, but residents said it would cut the town in half.

A public meeting to discuss plans was held in the town on Thursday evening.

The council suggested a temporary gate could be installed at the crossing which would be manned and remain open until about 1900 GMT when it would be locked.

But Network Rail said that it had a concern that when the gate was closed people would have to use an existing footbridge which did not have disabled access.

It said it would work with the council to assist with risk assessment of the gate in the short-term until a long-term solution is found.

'Saving time'

CCTV footage released by Network Rail showed people risking their lives at the crossing, including a mother pushing her baby in a pram.

The train drivers' union Aslef said pedestrains were running the risk daily

Richard O'Brien, Wessex route director for Network Rail said: "A footbridge will provide a permanent solution that is designed to cater for everyone and, most importantly, will help reduce the level of misuse at Wareham.

"Level crossings are safe if used correctly, but unfortunately all too often people are putting their lives on the line for the sake of saving a few minutes."

Darren Howe, of the union Aslef, said in a letter to Network Rail that his members would testify that the abuse at the Wareham crossing had become a daily occurrence.

He said he believed it was only "a matter of time" before someone was killed at the crossing.