Dorset Council say ground-level crossing needs to stay at Wareham

Dorset Council say they'll 'no longer engage' with ideas to close the ground-level pedestrian access at the Wareham Rail Crossing.

The authority say they're changing their previous approach, which was to work on solutions that could have involved ramps or lifts.

Leader Cllr Nick Ireland says he 'stands alongside the Wareham community' to fight plans to shut the access.

In an open letter, he's said:

“Network Rail (or whichever governing body is going to replace them) can potentially close the crossing in 2038. Our previous approach has been to work with partners to find a solution to this closure so pedestrian access can be kept at this location.

“However, the strength of the Wareham community’s opposition to previous proposed alternatives cannot be ignored. So, rather than accept that the removal of ground-level pedestrian access is inevitable, we are now opposing the closure itself.

“This current administration will not seek to impose any solution that involves ramps or lifts. We're only interested in proposals that maintain ground-level pedestrian access at the crossing without any lifts, ramps, or any other similar alternatives.

“Recently I attended a public demonstration at the crossing alongside local councillors, Vikki Slade MP, and many other prominent community representatives including the actor, Edward Fox OBE. It was a huge turnout of all ages, with a clear message; Wareham residents do not want ramps or lifts to replace the current arrangements. Walking across the ground-level crossing will always be the best way to retain access.

“We will not spend any more taxpayers’ money chasing something that the residents of Wareham do not need or want. It's not Dorset Council's responsibility to enable Network Rail to pursue deeply unpopular alternative options just so they can close the current crossing.

“We will stand alongside the Wareham community and fight the closure, because it's the right thing to do.”

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