Repairs on track for level crossings

URGENT repairs will be undertaken at two level crossings after pedestrians fell while walking over the railway line.

Network Rail has pledged to do the essential work at Woodbridge on the Ipswich to Lowestoft line in the next few weeks after complaints about a new green safety surfacing laid in between the tracks.

Residents have complained that they have stumbled and fallen on the new matting where it is not flush with the railway line and in the worst parts it is 1.5inches high.

Woodbridge Town Council was told that six people had fallen and at least two of them were injured. The accidents occurred at the Ferry Quay and Haywards crossings when they were walking over the lines to and from the River Deben.

The level crossings were closed in January to allow Balfour Beatty Rail Renewals Ltd to make repairs and to replace track. At the time there were complaints that on two Sundays there was no access over the level crossings and the Tide Mill Tea Room was forced to close because customers could not easily access the riverside premises.

Stan Hewitt, a town councillor, told the council: ''An elderly man came a cropper as they have put this rubber matting down but they have left some sticking up and he was the sixth person. A lady smashed her teeth and the problem is people on a railway line are trying to get across as quickly as possible.''

Frank Knights, who lives close to the line, said: ''We used to have old wooden level crossings and people do not know about the changes. A lot of people, even young people, have fallen and when it is dark they can not see the matting and even driving a vehicle over is a rough ride.''

A Network Rail spokesman said: ''We recognise this is essential work and the job will be carried out in the next few weeks to ensure that the matting is level with the rail.''