Electronic locking gates are being considered as a temporary solution to the dangerous use of the level crossing at Wareham Station.

Dorset County Council has agreed to explore all possible solutions to the pedestrian crossing, where it has recently been revealed that pedestrians dice with death as trains approach.

Members unanimously backed a motion to do all they can to maintain the ground-level crossing or find an alternative that meets the needs of local people.

A temporary solution of locking gates surrounded by palisade fencing, controlled by a supervisor, has received the support of Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).

The estimated cost of installing the gates is £20,000 and manning them is estimated at between £65,000 and £120,000 a year.

A request that the gates be operated from the existing signal box was rejected by Network Rail for operational reasons.

Following its review of CCTV footage showing people ignoring red warning lights at the un-gated crossing, the ORR urged Network Rail and the county council to take immediate action to reduce the high risk of a death.

In response, the council agreed to work with British Transport Police and private security operators to provide daily supervision of the crossing.

Meanwhile long-term discussions are continuing over three options – a £1m footbridge; electronic locking gates controlled remotely by CCTV costing £1.5m and up to £100,000 a year for 24-hour monitoring; or a footway/cycleway adjacent to the A351 at £2.2m.

Cllr 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.”

He added: “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.”

Campaigner Cllr Anne Selby said: “In the short term I would accept electronic gates but I can’t see them manning it 24 hours a day.

“It’s still going to restrict people as to how they get to Wareham.”