‘Nothing set in stone over Lyminster crossing’, Network Rail claims

A spokesman told the Gazette: “The bypass plans and our hopes for the level crossing are not related, although clearly one does help the other. And our hopes for the level crossing are just that at the moment – hopes. Nothing is set in stone and we’ve got a long way to go and a lot of work to do before anything happens. It’s a public right of way and we cannot just close it.”

Network Rail, he said, did not aim to close level crossings to save money, adding: “Level crossings are our biggest area of risk. We want to work with people and local authorities to make the railway and the communities around it safer.”

Andrew Dyer, managing director of Stagecoach South, which operated the 700 bus from Littlehampton to Arundel, said the company had heard rumours about the possible closure of the crossing, but had not been invited to the consultation events, or been asked to comment on the bypass proposals.

“If the crossing is closed, clearly we will have to modify the route of the 700.”

The Gazette approached West Sussex County Council for a comment.

However, it was unable to provide one before the paper went to press yesterday.

A planning application for the bypass is expected to be submitted in November. If approved, construction could begin by August, 2016.