ANGRY campaigners fighting to save Wareham’s pedestrian rail crossing have packed a highly-charged public meeting.

The two-hour forum, convened at Wareham Town Council’s East Street headquarters on Friday, was attended by more than 70 people.

They were angry at the potential closure, despite a Network Rail study showing evidence of “widespread abuse of the crossing by people ignoring the red ‘wait’ signals and audio warnings”.

However, campaigner Angie Stewart summed local feeling up by saying: “If this goes ahead it will split the town in two.

“Why has this suddenly become an issue? We don’t want this crossing to close.

“People were pretty vocal at the meeting. It would be a hugely unpopular decision if the crossing was to be abolished.”

News of the potential closure of the level crossing between Carey and Wareham has provoked a storm of protest over the summer.

Network Rail and the Office of Rail regulation (ORR) insist it is “high risk.”

Police patrols were stepped up recently, amid fears someone could be killed or injured by a speeding train.

But residents insist a closure will leave them no alternative other than a pedestrian bridge, which could be adapted for cycles but would leave disabled people and the elderly out in the cold.

Mrs Stewart, who runs Carey Post Office, said: “Nobody wants this, it is ridiculous “Apparently Network Rail say they’ve been monitoring this crossing for a number of years – but that is news to us.

“We have been told disabled people will be laid on taxis to get across – this is ludicrous.”

A representative from Purbeck District Council will now take the residents’ views to Dorset County Council’s transport chiefs, who are working in partnership with Network Rail.

Before the meeting, Dorset County Council said: “The ORR has said that if any further abuse takes place they will use their powers to require immediate closure of the crossing.

“As a consequence, it is expected that the crossing will be closed on the grounds of public safety.”

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