Sir Edward Leigh, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Gainsborough, has intervened on behalf of West Bank residents who will be cut off from Saxilby during rail improvement works. Network Rail plans to upgrade the level crossing at West Bank, cutting the road off from Saxilby and the rest of the world for two weeks over the Christmas holiday.

Writing to the Chief Executive of Network Rail, Sir Edward asserted that “This situation is completely unacceptable and cannot be allowed. Network Rail proposes to cut these residents off from the rest of the world at the height of the Christmas season. While I understand that plans have been made for ambulance access, it nonetheless presents a very real danger if any incident requiring the emergency services should take place.”

“More than fifty people live in West Bank,” the MP continued, “and it is simply intolerable for them to be out through these laborious restrictions, even more so at what is normally a festive time of year. I urge you strenuously to reconsider Network Rail’s plans and present an alternative that will be acceptable to the residents of West Bank.”