NETWORK Rail’s plan to close Wareham crossing have been scrapped.
An agreement has been reached between Network Rail, Dorset Council and MP Vikki Slade to keep the manually operated gates on the ground level for the long term.
Proposals for Wareham crossing have been the subject of a long-running dispute with Network Rail always maintaining safety reasons for the need of a bridge.
Dorset Council currently funds the annual £120,000 cost of staffing this crossing.
Council leader Nick Ireland has committed that this will continue in place for as long as he leads the council.
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Network Rail has proposed a continuous rolling agreement to be signed with Dorset Council for the crossing meaning the expiry date of 2038 has been scrapped.
Cllr Ireland and Mrs Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, secured the agreement with Mark Goodall, Wessex route director for Network Rail, at a meeting on Monday, March 17.
Cllr Ireland said the arrangement with Network Rail is “the right decision for Wareham”, where many residents including the actor Edward Fox have fiercely opposed the closure.
“I'd like to thank Vikki Slade MP for her help in securing this agreement and, of course, to the people of Wareham for their perseverance and determination on this matter,” he said.
Mrs Slade added: “The original failure of the county council in the 1970s created the uncertainty and I am pleased that he has provided assurance on continued funding, which secures the ground level access into the long term. This shows the value and importance of partnership working.”
Although there have been no accidents in 40 years, Network Rail bosses have always insisted the crossing is a health and safety risk and wanted to put in the sloping zig-zag bridge.
Without the need for a new crossing at Wareham crossing, it now means there is no need for a bridge.
Mr Goodall said Network Rail “knows how important this level crossing is” to Wareham.
He added: “The safety of people using the crossing has always been our primary concern, and the commitment from Dorset Council to continue funding the staffing costs will ensure that we can maintain the same high level of safety we have today."
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