Rail firm in promise over plans to close Shropshire level crossing

Officials at the trains operator want to set up a meeting in Ashford Bowdler, near Ludlow, to discuss the plans. They have pledged not to make any decisions without consulting residents, who fear shutting the crossing over the Shrewsbury to Hereford line will "cut the village in two".

Network Rail is reviewing all of its level crossings between Shrewsbury and Newport in South Wales as part of a £75 million re-signalling scheme. The crossing at Ashford Bowdler has been threatened with closure, despite having a 100 per cent safety record.

A date for any meeting has not yet been set, but Network Rail said it was discussing the idea with members of Ashford Bowdler Parish Meeting.

Michael Shallow, chairman of the parish meeting, said villagers were worried due to the uncertainty of the situation.

Plans to build a new road to the cut off street are equally as unwelcome, as residents would still face a mile-and-half round trip to visit their neighbours in the picturesque conservation village south of Ludlow.

Although the level crossing has a 100 per cent safety record, Network Rail still has concerns about risks at the site, a spokesman said, and a review of the crossing has been sparked by an overhaul of signalling on the line from Shrewsbury to South Wales.

Victoria Bradley, speaking for Network Rail, said: "We are continually reviewing our road and footpath crossings in order to reduce the potential safety risk, to the public, and to the railway and its passengers.

"We are undertaking a £75 million re-signalling scheme on the main line between Newport and Shrewsbury and are obligated to review all level crossings along the line of route as part of this scheme.

"We believe that we have an opportunity to reduce risk at the Ashford Bowdler crossing, without inconveniencing users or the wider public.

"The development of our proposals for the level crossing at Ashford Bowdler are currently at an early stage and will include issues such as road access."

She said a meeting was being arranged with Ashford Bowdler Parish Meeting and village residents to discuss the proposals.

Michael Shallow, chair of Ashford Bowdler Parish Meeting, said beyond the crossing was a cul-de-sac with houses and St Andrew's Church, which dates back to 1211.

"If the line is closed it will cut the village in half – people will have to drive around a mile and a half to go to church," he said.

Mr Shallow said Network Rail was also looking at purchasing land to build a road to link the cut-off part of the village with the main Caynham Road which joins the A49 trunk road to the north.

"It's a conservation village with a lot of black and white houses, it's a cul-de-sac and it's quiet, so there are concerns about a road," he said, adding that the move may open the area up for more development.

"It is a worry to people because they don't know what's going to happen," he said.