Fresh calls for action over controversial Wem level crossing
Campaigners have made fresh calls for safety measures to be introduced at a controversial level crossing in the wake of the latest system failure.
Members of Wem Train Station Safer Group want to see a footbridge created over the town's train station after two pedestrians risked their lives by clambering over the barrier while it was across the road.
The pair climbed over the barrier at Wem level crossing on Aston Street after a technical hitch saw it shut for an hour.
Melanie Benbow, who set up the campaign group, said the incident gave the group more drive to get a safety measure, such as a footbridge, brought in.
She said: "I have finally got through to a team member from Network Rail and they confirmed Thursday's station problem was a barrier fault not a line fault.
"They are emailing me once they have confirmed what caused it to fail again.
"This incident will not help people here gain any more confidence using the station unmanned.
"I am just glad that this incident has shown the situation is still not sorted and this may now go in our favour to keep going for a footbridge on the station itself.
"Two men jumped the barriers as they were late for work, even though they knew the dangers and risks they were taking.
"This gives us more drive to keep going and hopefully get more safety measures put in and around the station.
"What we would really like to see is the bridge built.
"I would hate to think we would only get one after a death from risk taking."
The level crossing has faced constant problems since it became automated in 2013, which has led councillors and residents to regularly question its safety and call for new safety measures to be put in place.
Previous problems have included a signal fault which caused the crossing to slam shut for three hours, causing massive tailbacks for motorists, including an ambulance.
Last month the level crossing closed for more than half an hour. Two weeks previously they had closed for an hour.
Hannah McCarthy, spokeswoman for Network Rail, said: "At 7.27am on Thursday morning a fault was reported at Wem level crossing, which caused the barriers to remain in the down position.
"Our engineers were dispatched and were able to get the crossing working again normally at 8.33am.
"We apologise for the disruption caused by this fault, which was due to a signalling operating module on the crossing."
