Residents are set to protest against the planned closure of Wareham’s rail crossing, crucial for local access and safety.
This protest is in response to Network Rail’s plan to close the crossing in 2038. The closure will happen when the lease agreement expires.
The crossing is part of a national safety upgrade program. Dorset Council manages the crossing and spends £120,000 a year on crossing attendants.
If no long-term solution is found before 2038, it could severely impact the community. The council warns it would split Northport and Wareham town center.
A meeting is set with the Minister of State for Rail and Vikki Slade, MP for Mid-Dorset and North Poole. Residents want to show their strong feelings about this issue.
Many locals rely on the crossing for essential services. They want to stress to the Minister how important it is to keep the ground-level crossing.
Edward Fox, a regular user of Wareham Station, highlighted its importance. He noted that many people, especially in the north of town, depend on it for healthcare, shopping, jobs, and schools.
He warned that a ramped bridge would divide the town and isolate vulnerable residents. It would also make it hard for school children to cycle to school.
Fox believes this change would have a lasting negative impact on the town’s future and its historic station.
Three ramped bridge proposals have been considered. The first was unbuildable, and the other two were rejected for being unsightly and harmful to the historic station.
Lifts were also looked at but deemed unsuitable. They wouldn’t handle peak usage and could be closed for up to 12 days a year.
Mr. Fox and MP Vikki Slade are invited to speak at the demonstration. Residents are encouraged to write to Slade and attend the protest.
