Rail crossing decision postponed after protests

The issue has led to 12 years of protests by residents

A council has postponed a decision on a railway crossing which has sparked 12 years of public protests.

Since 2012, residents in Wareham have campaigned to keep the existing level crossing for pedestrians, despite Network Rail's plan to close it.

Actor Edward Fox OBE, who supports the residents' campaign, previously said a proposed footbridge would "cut the town in half".

Dorset Council cabinet members, who were due to make a decision on Tuesday, were told the issue had been deferred to allow time for discussions with the rail regulator.

More than 200 people attended a protest on Saturday against the footbridge plan.

Edward Fox said: "This would cut the town in half, an extraordinary notion in itself, isolate vulnerable residents for whom it would be impossible to use the steep ramps and prevent schoolchildren from cycling to school."

Actor Edward Fox OBE said replacement ramps would "cut the town in half"

A Dorset Council report said the proposed footbridge would be accessed by step-free ramps, despite the failure of similar proposals in 2013, 2015 and 2018.

However, on Tuesday evening council leader Nick Ireland told cabinet colleagues that no vote would be taken.

Reading a statement, he said: "I've listened to the views that have been expressed by Wareham Town Council, the local ward members Councillor Beryl Ezzard and Councillor Ryan Holloway, and many others.

"Following a meeting earlier today with Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, I’ve agreed to defer this paper to enable her to meet with the Office of Rail and Road to finally bottom out the realistic options for the level crossing at Wareham Station, and this paper may or may not come back at some future date.”

There has been no road level crossing next to Wareham station since the town's bypass was built in 1973.

Since 2010, attendants have operated gates at the pedestrian crossing, which is next to a stepped footbridge.

In 2012, Network Rail said it would shut the crossing as part of a national programme of closures.