A RAILWAY crossing in Wellington is to be closed nearly a year after it was ‘temporarily’ stopped up by Network Rail.

The public footpath over the railway line to the north of the Longforth Farm housing estate was deemed by Network Rail to no longer be safe.

Work to upgrade the crossing surface and steps was started and Network Rail twice said the path, which runs off Proctor Road, would be reopened.

But it instead applied to Somerset Council for a permanent closure order and to divert the path to cross the railway track using an existing bridge to the west.

Now, the council has accepted Network Rail’s case and advertised the change to take effect from September 22 or when the company finishes making the bridge suitable for use, if that is later.

People will have to walk 924 yards alongside the railway to reach the alternative route, which is close to the eastern boundary of the Pritex factory.

The council said any costs involved in creating the diversion would have to be met by Network Rail.

The order will come into effect unopposed if the council does not receive any objections to it, but if opposition is mounted together with the reasons for doing so, it will need to be sent to Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey for a decision to be made.

Objections or any comments about the order can be made in writing to County Hall, Taunton, by September 22.

A copy of the order and the order map can be seen by appointment, also in County Hall.

The council order also reveals that the estate developer, J.S. Bloor (Swindon) Ltd, owns land immediately to the north of the railway line, on the Tonedale side of the track.