Lingfield level crossing shut after 'near misses'
Rail bosses have closed a footpath level crossing in a Surrey village due to "a number of near misses" involving pedestrians and trains.
Network Rail said it was seeking funding to replace the crossing between Lingfield Station and Racecourse Road with a footbridge.
The company has a national programme to close level crossings where possible.
The villagers, however, said while the crossing was dangerous, closing it would be inconvenient.
Chris D'Avery, who chairs the parish council, said: "We are mindful that life and safety is of paramount importance but this does disenfranchise a lot of people from easy access to the countryside.
"We'd like to meet with Network Rail and see whether there are alternatives to actually closing this footpath."
A spokesman for Network Rail said: "Level crossings remain the biggest single safety risk on the railway.
"Following a number of near misses involving people narrowly avoiding being struck by a train, Lingfield was identified for closure."