PEOPLE are risking their lives running and cycling across a railway level crossing while the gate is shut because of a flooded underpass.

Residents living near to the crossing in St John's Worcester have said they are frustrated after weeks of waiting for the flooded underpass to be reopened.

They claim people, impatient at having to wait, have been dangerously running across the track when the barriers are down.

One resident told us: "I have been complaining about this for weeks - it has been like this since before Christmas.

"I've been passed around - Network Rail told me it was Worcestershire County Council, now I've been told it is Worcester City Council.

"I've heard people on bikes have raced through when the barrier is down - very dangerous. The tape has only just gone up."

Another resident said: "The pedestrian underpass has been flooded for weeks.

"City council, county council and Network Rail all say they don't want to take responsibility for it and people are running across the track as a result when the barriers are down.

"No one cares and its unacceptable."

A reporter visited the Henwick Road crossing, near to St Clement's Church of England Primary School, on Thursday afternoon and saw that on both sides of the crossing tape has been put across preventing people walking down the steps to use the crossing.

One one side it appears there is a flooded drain, with the volume of water so high it is a covering part of a bottom step. On the other side muddy water is covering the floor.

While visiting the crossing a reporter saw the barriers come down for a train and pedestrians being forced to wait after realising the underpass is out of action.

 

Worcester News:

 

A pedestrian crossing when the barriers are down not only risks their life, but can be fined up to £1,000.

Posters, warning that trains come across the road, made by schoolchildren have been put on display at St Clement's. No one from the school was available to comment on the underpass.

The reporter spoke to the city and county council - both stressing it wasn't their responsibility and they understood it to be for Network Rail to fix.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "We are aware of the flooding issues and are exploring options for a short-term solution to remove the water as soon as possible.

"We will also investigate where the water is coming from to stop this happening again in future.

“We would urge everyone to always obey the level crossing warning lights and barriers, and never attempt to cross the railway when either are in use.”