Joint statement from Dorset Council, Vikki Slade MP, and Network Rail.
It has been jointly agreed that the current arrangements with manually operated gates to maintain ground-level pedestrian access at Wareham rail crossing will continue in place for the long term, allaying concerns that the crossing might have been closed for safety reasons.
Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council, and Vikki Slade MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole secured the agreement with Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director for Network Rail, at a meeting on Monday, 17 March.
Dorset Council currently funds the annual £120,000 cost of staffing this crossing, and Cllr Ireland has committed that this will continue in place for as long as he leads the council. For its part, Network Rail has proposed a continuous rolling agreement to be signed with Dorset Council for the crossing. This will remove the previous expected expiry date of 2038.
Proposals for Wareham crossing have been the subject of a long-running dispute, with questions over safety concerns, the funding of staffing for the crossing, and aborted plans for alternative crossing solutions.
Members of the local community have made clear the importance of the ground-level crossing, highlighting concerns around accessibility and community impact, and have registered their strong opposition to proposals for closure of the crossing. Network Rail has been equally clear that any unmanned or automatic crossing would contravene its safety obligations and require a total closure.
In a series of meetings with Network Rail, Vikki Slade MP and Cllr Nick Ireland have continually represented the views of local people, and they are both thrilled that the voices of the community have been heard.
Cllr Nick Ireland said: “I am delighted we have been able to secure this agreement with Network Rail; it’s the right decision for the Wareham community. 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.”
Vikki Slade MP said: “Since Cllr Ireland was elected leader of Dorset Council, he has engaged with this issue, attending meetings, and shown a commitment to a resolution. 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 ground-level access into the long term. This shows the value and importance of partnership working.”
Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director for Network Rail, said:
“We know how important this level crossing is to the community in Wareham, and we are pleased to have worked with Vikki Slade MP and Councillor Nick Ireland to find a way forward. 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.”
