Controversial plans for a multi-million-pound foot crossing at a county railway station have been thrown out by planning chiefs.

Members of Dorset County Council’s Regulatory Committee met, along with around 200 residents at Wareham’s Springfield Hotel, to discuss proposals to add ramps to the existing Grade II listed railway footbridge, replacing the current pedestrian level crossing.

The proposals put forward by Dorset County Council and Network Rail would have seen a revamped railway bridge at a cost of £1.7m at Wareham station.

Under the proposals, the new bridge would see ramps connect with the existing footbridge and closure of the current pedestrian level crossing.

At a lengthy and highly emotive meeting, councillors made a final decision to refuse the planning application unanimously.

Chairman of the regulatory committee Cllr David Jones, said that the council would refuse the plans on grounds that the plans would not enhance the character of the listed building status of the current footbridge and might encourage the use of cars by residents.

He added: “After very careful debate, the committee judged that the balance of policy considerations were weighted in favour of refusal.

“We will ask Dorset Highways and Network Rail to go back to the drawing board.”

As part of a national programme of closures of level crossings, amid safety concerns, Network Rail sited that Wareham level crossing has had more than three times the number of incidents than any other level crossing in the south west.

However, many residents including the actor Edward Fox objected to the plans saying the crossing is part of a vital route linking the town centre to Northmoor.

Residents also raised concerns about the proposed steep one-in-12 gradient and how long it would add to the potential journeys between the north and south of town.

as the existing surface crossing is 21 metres long while crossing using the proposed ramped bridge would be 141 metres.

As previously reported in 2016, more than 2,200 people also signed a petition calling for the retention of the surface crossing.

Purbeck District Council, who are a consultee in the process, heard the plans for the first time at its Planning Committee in January then again in May however members refused to back the proposals because they would undoubtedly have a significant impact upon the character and appearance of the area and the setting of the existing listed bridge.

Commenting on the decision, a spokesman for Dorset County Council, said: “Talks will now continue between Dorset Highways and Network Rail to produce a more suitable solution for the community.”