A COMMUNITY that has joined forces against plans to close a pedestrian railway crossing has been reassured over the plans.

As reported in the Daily Echo, locals in Wareham are worried over proposals to close the pedestrian crossing between Carey and Wareham, saying that it would leave no alternative other than a bridge, which would be difficult for disabled people, the elderly and children to use.

Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) have expressed worries over the abuse of the crossing and say there have been too many near misses.

They have been in discussions with Dorset County Council over the future of the crossing and residents had been concerned that the closure was a foregone conclusion, but now the ORR has moved to reassure them.

A spokesman said: “The ORR would only support the closure of Wareham crossing providing an alternative option was found which was accessible by disabled people, the elderly and met all the requirements of existing disability legislation.

“We would not support the closure unless a Disability Discrimination Act route was available and would explore other options with Network rail and the county council to make the crossing safer.”

Campaigners have welcomed the news.

Angela Salter, who runs Carey Post Office, said: “If they won’t support it, that’s a step forward if we have help like that. All the locals think all it needs is an automatic barrier.”

Cllr David Budd, leader of Purbeck District Council and a county councillor, said the news from the ORR was “encouraging”. He added: “In an ideal world I would to keep the existing crossing in some form, but if that can’t be achieved there has to be an alternative before there’s any move to close it.

“It’s absolutely essential that we maintain viable means of getting from one side of the railway to the other.”