WAREHAM Level Crossing will remain closed today due to staff shortages.

One of the attendants has been suspended after a number of near misses and the STM Group, which is contracted to supply crossing attendants, has been unable to cover his shifts.

As well as this, another attendant has fallen ill, which meant the crossing had to close yesterday and will remain closed today.

Councillor Daryl Turner, Cabinet Member for the Natural and Built Environment said: “Unfortunately it is not as straight forward as deploying our staff to cover this shortage; anyone working on a live railway has to be accredited by Network Rail, which is why we have to employ this company for our attendants.

“Last week we instructed STM to reduce the operation of the crossing to 8am to 6pm when there is only one attendant available to ensure that the crossing was open for the majority of users until full staffing of the crossing is back in place, but this attendant is now unwell and we are speaking with all concerned to try and agree a resolution.

“We appreciate that this puts anyone needing step-free access in an impossible situation, which is the position we have been trying to avoid for many years.”

The current level crossing by Wareham Railway Station has a long history and, following safety improvement requirements in 2009, has had a safety attendant monitoring the crossing and operating pedestrian gates between 6am and 1am (the following morning) when trains are scheduled to pass.

A sign is being displayed at the crossing when it is closed and @TravelDorset Twitter account is also being updated.

Dorset County Council is working with Network Rail and the STM Group to prevent further closures.