Network Rail has finally surrendered after actor Edward Fox’s eight-year campaign against a controversial new railway crossing proposed in his Dorset hometown.
The war film star, 87, has spent nearly a decade fighting plans to build a ‘hideous’ modern foot bridge over the Grade II-listed Victorian station in Wareham, Dorset, since they were proposed in 2017.
Last month, the Day of the Jackal actor – who has lived near the market town since 1982 – delivered an impassioned speech at a protest against the scheme, saying it would be ‘extremely harmful to our charming, historic station’.
He was applauded by 250 people as he urged the local MP for Poole and Mid Dorset, Liberal Democrat Vikki Slade, to ‘go into battle for the community and not kowtow to the bureaucrats of Network Rail’.
His efforts saw Dorset Council back down from working with Network Rail on the scheme last month, with council leader Nick Ireland saying the ‘strength of the Wareham community’s opposition to previous proposed alternatives cannot be ignored’.
And now, Mr Fox and his fellow campaigners have won the day as Network Rail accepted its plans were a bridge too far for them.
Instead, it will keep the manned existing ground-level crossing that pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users have happily used for decades to cross the tracks.
The actor, who starred as Lt Gen Brian Horrocks in the 1977 World War II film A Bridge Too Far, said it was ‘wonderful news’ and praised Network Rail for their U-turn.
Network Rail has finally surrendered after actor Edward Fox’s (pictured) eight-year campaign against a controversial new railway crossing proposed in his Dorset hometown. Pictured: Mr Fox giving a speech at a protest against the scheme last month
Now, the war film star, 87, and his fellow campaigners have won the day as Network Rail accepted its plans were a bridge too far for them. Instead, it will keep the manned existing ground-level crossing (pictured) that pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users have happily used for decades to cross the tracks
Mr Fox has spent nearly a decade fighting plans (pictured) to build a ‘hideous’ modern foot bridge over the Grade II-listed Victorian station in Wareham, Dorset, since they were proposed in 2017
The actor, who starred as Lt Gen Brian Horrocks in the 1977 World War II film A Bridge Too Far (pictured), said it was ‘wonderful news’ and praised Network Rail for their U-turn
Mr Fox said: ‘This is a huge breakthrough and wonderful news for the inhabitants of Wareham. The threat of closure has been hanging over Wareham residents.
‘This decision will make an enormous difference to so many people’s lives.
‘It is deeply appreciated by all those who rely on the crossing including mothers with children, older people, those with mobility scooters and children cycling to school, all of whom will benefit from this for years to come.’
The current level crossing has been there for more than 40 years. There have been no accidents in that time – but Network Rail labelled it a health and safety risk and wanted to replace it with a huge sloping zig-zag bridge.
Roughly half of the around 6,000 residents of Wareham live on the north side of the tracks, with the crossing being the only pedestrian route to the town centre.
Many feared the proposed bridge would cut them off from vital services in the town as they would not be able to navigate its lengthy, uphill design.
In his speech last month, Mr Fox said: ‘This route has been in existence since Saxon times and has served people well all that time.
‘It is extraordinary and particularly presumptuous that Network Rail is proposing to build a ramped bridge again at Wareham station when three similar schemes have failed.
Mr Fox (pictured, standing on the existing crossing) said: ‘This is a huge breakthrough and wonderful news for the inhabitants of Wareham. The threat of closure has been hanging over Wareham residents’
The current level crossing has been there for more than 40 years. There have been no accidents in that time – but Network Rail labelled it a health and safety risk and wanted to replace it. Pictured: Residents at the protest against the proposed crossing last month
Roughly half of the around 6,000 residents of Wareham (pictured, at the protest last month) live on the north side of the tracks, with the crossing being the only pedestrian route to the town centre
Last month, the Day of the Jackal actor (pictured, as the titular assassin in the 1973 political thriller) delivered an impassioned speech at a protest against the scheme, saying it would be ‘extremely harmful to our charming, historic station’
‘This would cut the town in half, an extraordinary notion in itself, isolate vulnerable residents for whom it would be impossible to use the steep ramps and prevent school children from cycling to school.
‘It would be extremely harmful to our charming, historic station, and what a poor first impression it would give to visitors who come to this historic area.’
Dorset Council, Vikki Slade MP and Network Rail said in a joint statement: ‘It has been jointly agreed that the current arrangements with manually operated gates to maintain ground-level pedestrian access at Wareham rail crossing will continue in place for the long term, allaying concerns that the crossing might have been closed for safety reasons.’
Network Rail have proposed a continuous rolling agreement to be signed with Dorset Council for the crossing, removing the previous expected expiry date of 2038.
Under the agreement, Dorset Council will continue to cover the £120,000 annual cost of staffing the crossing.
Network Rail’s Wessex route director Mark Goodall 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 Councillor 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.’
Nick Fagan, who chairs Wareham Town Trust, a voluntary group for conserving Wareham that campaigned against the crossing’s closure, said: ‘I wish to congratulate and give huge thanks to all the people of Wareham who turned up at the demos at the station in November and February.
Dorset Council U-turned on plans for modernise the station. Nick Ireland, the leader of the local authority, said the ‘strength of the Wareham community’s opposition to previous proposed alternatives cannot be ignored
Mr Fox, right, appeared alongside Michael Caine, left, alongside a stellar ensemble cast in 1977 film A Bridge Too Far (pictured), a big screen re-telling of Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied mission to break German lines in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands
‘And Edward Fox OBE, Purbeck’s famous actor, for speaking at the demo against the “bridge too far”.
‘Thank you everyone who gave up their time in campaigning in various ways to save our vital crossing.
‘If it wasn’t for you all, Network Rail would happily have closed it by now without a doubt – and severed the town in half.
‘Some people consider paying for crossing attendants is a waste of council taxpayers’ money.
‘However this is a small price to pay for keeping the town in one piece and for this route to be useable by all the people of Wareham including railway passengers, elderly people, people with disabilities, parents with children in pushchairs, schoolchildren, both those walking and cycling to school.’
Following the announcement, Councillor Ireland said: ‘I am delighted we have been able to secure this agreement with Network Rail; it’s the right decision for Wareham community.’