The un-gated crossing has been identified as one of the worst in the country for people ignoring warning lights and Network Rail, Dorset County Council and the local community are working together to find a safe, permanent solution.

Until a new way to cross the railway on foot, bike or mobility scooter can be agreed, the temporary gates and fencing will ensure that people can continue to use the existing crossing and help stop the kind of dangerous misuse by a wide range of people that has recently been captured on CCTV.

After reviewing the footage last year, the Office of Rail Regulation strongly asked that Network Rail and the county council take urgent steps to reduce the high risk of death or injury. As a result, the county council arranged for the crossing to be supervised by transport police and private security guards on a daily basis while options were explored.

On Monday 8 February 2010, work began to install electronic gates that can be opened when it is safe to cross and closed when a train is coming. New palisade fencing is also being erected around the crossing site to provide a safe area for people to wait. The gates will be controlled manually by a guard, with power supplied from the signal box. The measures will include a cabin to provide shelter for the guard and enclose the gate controls.

The construction work is expected to take six to eight weeks to complete, during which time the crossing will be available to use as at present. Network Rail has recently closed the station footbridge owing to frost damage and it is hoped it will be repaired and re-opened during this time.

Discussions are continuing over the design of a long-term solution. Any new arrangement would seek to maintain a pedestrian/cycle link between the Northport area and Wareham town centre and be safe and accessible for people with disabilities, older people and people with push chairs.

Options being looked at include a safe cycleway/footway alongside the A351 Wareham bypass and a new footbridge compliant with Disability Discrimination Act criteria.

Discussions will soon be held with representatives of local disability groups to address the needs and concerns of all members of the community, especially those with limited mobility.