TRANSPORT chiefs have unveiled their latest plans for Wareham railway station's refurbished footbridge.

Dozens of residents attended a drop-in event at the town's Corn Exchange on Friday to look at the designs and quiz representatives of the South West Trains/Network Rail Alliance on the forthcoming project.

The new design includes purpose-built accessibility ramps, leading up to the existing railway bridge, which will be completely renovated.

Rizwaan Hanid, a project manager with Network Rail, said: "As part of this, South West Trains/Network Rail Alliance consulted Wareham Town Council, Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council.

"We believe that this new design offers the safest and most suitable option for the residents of Wareham.

"Fitting within the constraints of the existing site, the design will enable 24-hour access that is safe, well lit and accessible to all."

Network Rail engineers, who considered a number of options to replace the existing level crossing, finally decided the best way forward was to build access ramps to the existing station footbridge.

The plans received a mixed reception with town residents. David Cole commented: "Well thought out."

But another resident said: "It looks like it belongs in a city, not a small market town."

Network Rail hopes to lodge a planning application later this year, before setting a timetable to build the bridge, depending on what is decided by the district's planning department.

Wareham railway station’s pedestrian crossing was once described as one of the most dangerous in England.

Electric barriers were switched on at Wareham in September 2010 to stop abuse of the crossing, where warning signals were regularly ignored.

CCTV footage, released before these electric barriers were installed, revealed members of the public often dicing with death.

One shocking moment showed a young woman ignoring the warning signal and pushing a child’s pushchair across seconds before a passenger train rolled by.

Network Rail bosses confirmed the footpath crossing was earmarked for closure in 2012.

The drop-in session, where the latest footbridge plans were on show, took place at Wareham Corn Exchange, East Street.