Villagers oppose six ft fence (From Warrington Guardian)

Villagers oppose six ft fence

CONCERNED Hartford residents are hoping for a meeting to address their fears about an imposing railway fence.

After discovering that Network Rail plans to erect a 6ft steel fence alongside the railway line between Chester and Manchester where it passes through built-up areas, including Hartford, some villagers attended a parish council meeting to see what could be done to oppose the project.

While acknowledging the fence is needed in the interests of security and safety, the council decided to write to Network Rail detailing residents' concerns and asking for a discussion with the company to find out if these concerns can be addressed.

Issues raised by residents include the height of the fence and its proximity to people's homes, as well as what will happen to existing fences, which some people have put up themselves.

Speaking at the meeting, one resident said: "Network Rail has taken it upon itself to tend to the fence, which is in a state of disrepair and which some people have already taken upon themselves to do.

"Perfectly good fences are now to be ripped up and replaced with something unsightly."

Another resident said: "The fence is necessary, but having it further back would be better and less intrusive."

A spokesman for Network Rail said the company has a legal obligation to stop people getting on the line and endangering themselves and train passengers, and that better fencing does discourage railway crime. He said: "At this stage we have already written to approximately 20 residents with a two-page explanation of what we are doing and why.

"It will be four to six months before work takes place, so there would be no point having a meeting now, but we may well be prepared to meet with the parish council in about six months' time."

Villagers oppose 6ft steel fence