Motoring & Transport, Wareham | Posted on March 19th, 2025 | return to news
Wareham rail crossing closure cancelled thanks to MP
MP Vikki Slade has helped secure an agreement to maintain ground-level access at a rail crossing in Wareham.
Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole, and Cllr Nick Ireland, leader of Dorset Council, have secured an agreement with Network Rail to maintain a ground-level pedestrian crossing over the rails at Wareham Train Station for the long term.
For some time, residents of Wareham were concerned that Network Rail planned to close the crossing for safety reasons. Alternatives such as ramps and lifts were explored, but strongly opposed by the public, and earlier this year Dorset Council changed its position from accepting that a closure was inevitable, to opposing any closure of the crossing.
Members of the local community have made clear the importance of the ground-level crossing and highlighted concerns around accessibility and community impact
Slade and Ireland met with Mark Goodall, Wessex Route director for Network Rail, at a meeting on Monday 17 March, where it was agreed that the current arrangements involving manually operated gates would remain in place.
Dorset Council currently funds the annual £120,000 cost of staffing this crossing, and Cllr Ireland has committed that this will continue in place for as long as he leads the council. Network Rail have proposed a continuous rolling agreement to be signed with Dorset Council for the crossing.
In a series of meetings with Network Rail, Slade and Cllr Ireland represented the views of local people and they are both thrilled that the voices of the community have been heard.
Cllr Ireland said: “I am delighted we have been able to secure this agreement with Network Rail; it’s the right decision for [the] Wareham community. I’d like to thank Vikki Slade MP for her help in securing this agreement and, of course, to the people of Wareham for their perseverance and determination on this matter.”
Liberal Democrat MP Vikki Slade said: “Since Cllr Ireland was elected leader of Dorset Council he has engaged with this issue, attending meetings and shown a commitment to a resolution. The original failure of the County Council in the 1970s created the uncertainty and I am pleased that he has provided assurance on continued funding, which secures the ground level access into the long term. This shows the value and importance of partnership working.”
Goodall from Network Rail, said: “We know how important this level crossing is to the community in Wareham, and we are pleased to have worked with Vikki Slade MP and Cllr Nick Ireland to find a way forward. The safety of people using the crossing has always been our primary concern, and the commitment from Dorset Council to continue funding the staffing costs will ensure that we can maintain the same high level of safety we have today.”
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