A vital pedestrian railway crossing which connects two halves of Wareham in Dorset, is to shut for 11 days – the second closure in a year, this time to replace its automatic gates.
Dorset Council says the £50,000 scheme, which begins on Monday 11th May 2026, is urgently needed before the current gate system potentially fails without warning and puts residents at risk.
The primary way around is a footbridge over the rail line, with steep steps which are not accessible for wheelchairs and prams
Only way to cross will be by footbridge
But the work will mean that for almost two weeks, the only safe way to cross the busy railway line will be by using the nearby footbridge, accessed by steep sets of steps.
Hundreds of users who take wheelchairs, electric buggies, prams, strollers or even bikes across the ground level crossing will have to look to take costly taxis or infrequent buses instead.
Once installed, the new gates will continue to be manned between 6 am and midnight at a cost to Dorset Council of £120,000 a year.
Critics have questioned why the work will take so long – especially as the crossing was closed for rewiring ‘to prevent potential system failures’ over four days in January 2026.
It has also been asked why a set of unmanned automatic gates could not have been installed if the current gates have come to the end of their life expectancy.
Dorset Council have given plenty of warning about the level crossing closure, but there’s no easy solution for many
“Potentially fails without warning”
A spokesperson for Dorset Council said:
“We need to fully replace the pedestrian gate system at the Wareham level crossing, and for our contractor to carry out this work safely, the crossing will be closed for the full duration of the replacement work, from Monday 11th May to Friday 22nd May 2026.
“Advance notice signs are in place ahead of the closure, and there will be signed pedestrian diversion.
“We appreciate this will be frustrating for many of you, particularly as the crossing was closed earlier this year for repairs.
“The gate system is used frequently every day, but a full replacement is now the only option before it potentially fails without warning.”
Although many cyclists can manage the footbridge, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, prams and pushchairs cannot
“Not suitable for everyone”
The spokesperson added:
“As this work involves removing the existing gates and installing a completely new system, it cannot be completed more quickly or in stages.
“We know the nearby footbridge is not suitable for everyone, but we hope that by sharing this information early, it gives everyone time to plan ahead and make alternative arrangements to cross the railway line during the closure.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Without the level crossing, the other way over the railway line is walking on the narrow and busy A351 road bridge which doesn’t have a proper pavement
Route is hugely important
Gates were installed and safety attendants employed at the pedestrian crossing in 2009 after Network Rail reported a high number of people ignoring danger signals, although Wareham residents dispute this happened. The cost of the new gates is £49,845.80 before VAT.
The ground level crossing is the only way for more than a thousand residents of Northport to walk into Wareham’s main town centre without using the stepped footbridge, or the busy and narrow A351 road bridge.
As most of the town’s shops, medical centres and schools are in the main town, the route is of huge importance and residents have fought to protect it over the years.
Actor Edward Fox, who lives locally, led the campaign to save Wareham’s level crossing
Agreement reached after mass protests
Attempts to remove the ground level crossing have been made since 2013, but plans to find an alternative answer, including a ramp which would be a quarter of a mile long, or lifts to the top of the existing bridge, were all rejected as unworkable.
Proposals to widen the narrow A351 road bridge and provide a pavement for pedestrians have also been rejected.
Finally, after mass protests led by Purbeck actor Edward Fox, an agreement was reached that Network Rail would not close the ground crossing as threatened when the land lease comes to an end in 2038, and that Dorset Council would fund the £120,000 a year bill of manning the crossing.
The crossing is well used by many cyclists, parents with pushchairs and disabled in wheelchairs
“Unsafe to pull a pushchair across the stairs”
But news of the latest temporary closure has drawn criticism from Northport residents.
One parent said:
“A child starting school at 8.45 am will need to get the 7.53 am bus, elongating the already exhausting day with the financial cost of paying for the child and parent each way every day – and that’s if there is even space in the bus, which there often isn’t for prams.
“It is unsafe for a parent to be pulling a pushchair across the stairs, but we are unable to book taxis for school times as they are already booked by the local authority for school runs.
“It’s ridiculous that we even need a manned gate, plenty of other stations have automatic gates, even just along the South West railway line, like at Poole.”
In 2025, hundreds or residents joined a protest to keep the level crossing open
“Put more stress and strain on the buses”
And a wheelchair user commented on Facebook:
“Yet again, those who are less able or mobile suffer due to the total incompetence of this crossing. What plans do Dorset Council have in place for those of us who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters, and mums with pushchairs and prams?
“The answer seems to be to suffer like normal, or put more stress and strain on the buses, which is fine until you have an appointment in Wareham at 8 am.
“Can I send the bill for a wheelchair accessible taxi to Dorset Council? I think I know the answer.
“We could save costs by getting rid of the gates, not having to pay for crossing attendants and replacing it with barriers and flashing lights.”
