Is notorious Wem level crossing no longer a problem?
It has been dubbed one of the most abused level crossings in the country and has left residents fearing for their safety for years.
But there was only one incident of trespassing at Wem level crossing dealt with by British Transport Police officers last year, it has been revealed.
The man was arrested in June after he was believed to have come through the barriers as they were coming down. No further action was taken against him.
It comes after figures released by Network Rail a few years ago indicated Wem level crossing was the sixth most abused in the country.
The news has been welcomed by the town's mayor Councillor Rosemary Dodd, who said she hoped the news indicated that past problems at the level crossing had settled down.
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.
Shocking images at the crossing in Aston Street in recent years have shown motorists ignoring the warning signs and narrowly avoiding the closing barriers as they race across the tracks.
In March 2015 the automatic safety barriers failed to close despite flashing lights warning of an approaching train. Network Rail said the barriers did not go down because of a temporary road diversion sign causing an obstruction, and the train went through at a reduced speed.
In November 2015 strong winds caused the automated level crossing to stop working properly, meaning that someone was forced to lower the barriers manually when trains passed. Previous problems have included a signal fault which caused the crossing to slam shut for three hours, causing massive tailbacks for motorists.
Members of Wem Train Station Safer Group have also called for a footbridge to be created over the town's train station after two pedestrians risked their lives by clambering over the barrier while it was down. The pair climbed over the barrier at Wem level crossing after a technical hitch saw it shut for an hour.
An online petition was also set up calling for action to be taken to improve the safety at the crossing.
Rhianne Pope, national media relations manager for British Transport Police, said: "On June 8 2016 a man was arrested for trespass, believed to have come through the barriers as they were coming down. No further action was taken against the man."
Councillor Dodd said: "I haven't heard anything recently about the crossing so hopefully things have settled down now.
"I hope in 2017 it runs smoothly."
