Wem rail crossing to close for system tests
A railway level crossing in a town in Shropshire will be closed on several occasions in the coming weeks to test a controversial system which will see signals controlled more than 120 miles away.
The tests will be carried out on the crossing in Soulton Road in Wem, next to the town's railway station, ahead of a new system being brought in which will see the junction operated from Cardiff from October 13.
Network Rail will close the crossing to carry out the work – causing delays for motorists who will be diverted along alternative routes.
Closures will take effect from 9am on September 30 until 7am the following day, and from 10pm on October 5 until 7am on October 7. There will also be overnight closures on October 7, 8 and 9.
While the crossing is closed cars will be diverted along Aston Road, the A49, the A41 and the B5476.
Councillors in Wem have raised fears that people's safety could be at risk because of the changes, but rail bosses insist road users won't notice any difference.
Councillors also say that due to the complex nature of the junction a signalman is needed to ensure the public's safety.
Recent figures from Network Rail indicated Wem level crossing was the sixth most abused in the country.
