A NEW footbridge at Wool railway station is set to officially open next month, replacing the former footpath level crossing.

Network Rail bosses decided to close the footpath crossing and replace it with a stepped footbridge after identifying the crossing as ‘high risk’, due to the number of trains that pass through it and the poor visibility for both trains and pedestrians.

The current crossing intersects with the A352 Dorchester Road, with traffic also joining from the B3071 Station Road and East Burton Road.

The new horseshoe-shaped footbridge is located approximately 20m to the west of the existing crossing.

As part of the £832,000 project, rail chiefs have been consulting with Wool Parish Council, Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council for the past four years to establish the best alternative for the current level crossing.

Purbeck district councillor Peter Wharf said he was “pleased” with the new footbridge.

“This is a project that the parish council, district council and county council have all been working closely with Network Rail on for four years. A huge amount of effort has gone into it.

He added: “The bridge has been well thought through with the safety aspect, but in terms of the design it’s less than inspiring.

“However, the former footpath crossing was really quite unsatisfactory in terms of safety. We’re very pleased we’ve got the opportunity to use the bridge. It’s good for safety and good for tourism.”

Cllr Wharf also praised the installation of automatic lighting on the bridge, which will benefit nearby residents, and the improved access to the caravan park the bridge’s location provides.

Network Rail, which has closed more than 900 level crossings in the last five years, believes the new footbridge offers the safest option for the local community to cross the railway.

Alex Boatfield, project manager for Network Rail, said: “Every time a footpath or a road meets the railway, there is a risk and it is our aim to reduce this as much as we can.

“We’re delighted that last week the new footbridge was successfully installed. From mid-May, there will be a safe and convenient means of crossing the railway at Wool, which removes any interface with the railway.”

For further information about the project, residents can contact Network Rail’s 24 hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.