Railway signal box facing axe?

A railway signal box at a notorious north Shropshire level crossing could be scrapped and replaced with an automated system controlled from a centre in Cardiff.

The overhaul of Wem level crossing is part of a £22 million scheme being proposed by Network Rail for new "modular signalling" on the Shrewsbury-Crewe line.

The plans would be introduced in Wem, a crossing notorious with motorists who jump red lights and race through the safety barriers, in November 2011 if proposals get the go-ahead.

Network Rail say the new system will allow for a more reliable service, but councillors at a meeting of Wem Town Council last night raised concerns about the plans, which would see the removal of the signal box and operator in Wem.

A public consultation is set to be held on the proposals but a date is yet to be confirmed.

A letter to the council from Network Rail said: "The layout of the crossing will remain unchanged but will be controlled by CCTV.

"Network Rail is committed to keeping the community informed of investment works. As such, we will arrange for a public exhibition of our proposals to be carried out closer to the time."

Today Wem's mayor, Councillor Doug Cooley, said Network Rail was looking at introducing fully automated crossings along its line from Cardiff to Crewe.

"There would be no need for a signal box at our line," he said. "What we are concerned about is there are four turnings on to our crossing - Soulton Road, Aston Street, Aston Road and Station Road.

"With all these roads converging on one crossing we felt it better to have a signal operator in the signal box operating the level crossing."