A Shropshire level crossing could be closed for up to three weeks – cutting the village in two, it was claimed today.

Residents and people using the mainline train station in Gobowen will face long diversions, depending on which side of the train track they want to get to. Neither motorists nor pedestrians will be able to use the level crossing.

This means villagers living on the Oswestry side of Gobowen will have to use a nearby footbridge to get to the school or shops.

Councillor Trevor Davies said he feared families would struggle walking their youngsters to school, especially those with pushchairs unable to climb the steps on the footbridge.

And he said older people and those with mobility problems would also be cut off from the main part of the village.

Network Rail said today that the closure will be to replace equipment at the crossing including the barriers. The firm today apologised for the disruption.

A letter to Councillor Davies, who sought clarity about the road closure, says the works will run from October 17 until November 9 and will be 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week works to replace the level crossing.

Diversions will be along the B5069 and the A5, the letter says.

The letter also stresses there will be no access for non-vehicular traffic including cyclists and pedestrians.

Councillor Davies said: “This could be a nightmare for the village and people coming to the station.

“If people turn up on the wrong side of the crossing they could miss their train because they would be unable to get to their platform.

“There are quite a few people who live on the Oswestry side of the village who will have to use a footbridge down the line to walk across – to get to the school for instance. But how will families with pushchairs manage up and down the steps of the footbridge?

“The last time the crossing was closed, earlier this year, traffic was diverted past the Derwen and the Orthopaedic. But this time the letter that I have had says the diversion will be via the A5.”

Rachael Blackman, from Network Rail, said the work will mean that “we can keep the level crossing open in the long term”.

By Sue Austin