Wem residents in action call over faults on level crossing

Residents who live near the problem crossing in Aston Street have demanded the national rail company listen to their fears before it is too late.

It comes after a fault saw the barriers closed from midday to around 3pm last Wednesday, causing huge disruption for drivers, including an ambulance.

Mark and Julie Hoffman, who live opposite the crossing, have seen people push their way through the barriers, which often take up to 15 minutes to rise after a train has passed.

Contracts manager, Mr Hoffman, 53, said today: "I'm just scared about the safety.

"What will it take for Network Rail to listen to us? Is it going to take someone getting hurt or killed before they sort out these faults once and for all?"

The crossing became automated in October, and is now controlled 120 miles away, from Cardiff.

Mr Hoffman said: "On Wednesday, there were problems all day.

"There were times when the lights flashed for 10 minutes and the barriers didn't come down. Then they would come down and stay shut for hours. Then they'd go back up and the same thing would happen again.

"We were the other side of the track when it happened and had to make a nine-mile detour to get back home, which is just 100 yards over the other side.

"We've seen people push through many times, because they just don't trust the lights. Now the barriers are lighter, and not the steel fibreglass ones that used to be there, anyone could get through."

Not their first encounter with Network Rail, the couple said the company had been unhelpful many times.

Mrs Hoffman, a 51-year-old care manager, said: "I rang up when we were stuck there on Wednesday, and the man wouldn't even give me a time for when they'd get here. Then he hung up on me.

"They don't seem to want to help at all really."

Mr Hoffman added: "They have no respect for their neighbours, which ultimately we are.

"I know people shouldn't be pushing through the barriers or jumping the platforms, but the faults are giving people little choice.

"What are people meant to do, put their lives on hold for hours on end?"

Councillor Mandy Meakin, deputy mayor of Wem Town Council, said she is disappointed with the company since the changes were made.

"We were told it was failsafe, and that we wouldn't even notice the difference not having a signal man there," she said.

"We were told that any problems would be dealt with quickly and properly to keep traffic flowing."

Other residents in the area have similar views of the crossing, and think it is not only a hassle, but dangerous to the community.

Angela George, 36, of Aston Road, said: "I ended up having to take an eight-mile trip around the village just to get home. It was just chaos. We all worry about its safety, and what would happen if the barriers came down suddenly with a child stuck in the middle."

Kelsey Gardener, 19, of Roden Grove, said it has been discussed to no end in the community.

"I work in a pub, and people were coming in all day complaining, and saying how bad it was. My dad had to get a bus to London and had to wait such a long time just for it to get over the tracks."

Becky Broomhall, 26, of Harris Croft, was cycling when the incident happened on Wednesday.

She said: "I had to cycle round, and thankfully I was able to go up the footpath and had to carry my bike. I ended up being late for work in the end."

Charlie Ashton, 18, of Barnald Street, said: "It slows everything down. If we had a signalman he'd be able to use common sense, rather than everyone waiting for the barriers to come up for ages because it's automated."

Network Rail have previously apologised for the delays on Wednesday, and say that faults like this can happen at any time across the country.