WAREHAM railway station’s pedestrian crossing, once one of the most dangerous in England, will close, rail chiefs have confirmed.

Electric barriers were switched on at Wareham in September 2010 to stop abuse of the crossing, where warning signals were regularly ignored.

The gates are activated by a guard situated next to the crossing at Wareham railway station.

However, Network Rail bosses have now confirmed this footpath crossing is earmarked for closure.

The crossing, which became the focus of a Network Rail safety campaign in 2009 when CCTV footage of pedestrians ignoring the barriers was released, is on a list of level crossing closures.

Network Rail spokesman Jon Crampton confirmed: “The footpath crossing at Wareham is one earmarked for inclusion.

“We are at an early stage and are in discussion with Dorset County Council and Purbeck District Council about providing an alternative route across the railway.”

No time scale has been set for the closure.

Long-term options being considered are likely to include a safe cycleway/footway alongside the A351 Wareham bypass and a new footbridge.