MP takes up cudgels to keep Ashford Bowdler crossing
Philip Dunne MP met concerned villagers at Ashford Bowdler last Saturday to see for himself the devastating impact on the village if Network Rail’s proposals to close the level crossing proceed.
Network Rail has proposed closing the level crossing which divides the small conservation village of Ashford Bowdler in half, with eight houses on the West side of the railway line accessible from the A49, and 12 houses to the East of the line with the community’s only public building, the Church. Network Rail have proposed building a new road parallel to the east of the railway track to connect the otherwise cut off houses to the Caynham Road several hundred metres away.
Mr Dunne had been contacted by several of those who live in the village and Anne Sinclair arranged for local residents to meet their MP. The Church was packed with virtually everyone who lives in Ashford Bowdler or worships at the Church turning up to express their outrage.
Mr Dunne said: “I was appalled to learn of these proposals and the cavalier approach taken by Network Rail to cut this community in half. As I understand it, there have been no safety incidents at this crossing, so it seems there is no justification for wasting enormous sums of public money and creating mayhem in a small village community for no obvious benefit. I am determined to get to the bottom of this and am seeking an urgent meeting with Network Rail for them to explain themselves.”
Mr Dunne added: "I shall be working with Mike Shallow, Chair of Ashford Bowdler Parish Meeting to prepare their case to present to Network Rail and keep residents informed of developments."
