Barriers plan for rail crossing

Advertisement

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

Electronic locking gates could be installed at a railway crossing in Dorset where pedestrians have been seen risking their lives to cross.

Network Rail said the Wareham station crossing was one of the worst in the UK for people crossing on a red light.

It has previously released CCTV footage showing a mother pushing her baby in a pram in front of an oncoming train.

Dorset County Council wants to erect gates surrounded by fencing as a temporary measure to avoid it closing.

Network Rail's plans to shut the level crossing in December were supported by safety regulators but residents have protested saying it would cut the town in half.

New footbridge

The council said it had received the support of Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) for its plan but both bodies have to formally approve the plan before the gates can be installed.

They would be controlled by a supervisor and would allow the crossing to be cleared of pedestrians when a train is coming.

The gates would cost about £20,000 to install and between £65,000 and £120,000 per year to man, it said.

They would be a temporary solution until plans for a new footbridge or gates controlled remotely by CCTV are finalised with Network Rail and the ORR, the council said.

Councillor Geoffrey Brierley, cabinet member for transport, said: "The county council is mindful of the need to preserve pedestrian links for the benefit of Wareham while ensuring public safety.

"We will work closely with the community to provide a long-term solution that meets their needs and will ensure that all options are considered."