THE FIGHT to save a Deganwy railway crossing from closing will continue despite Network Rail stating their decision "will not change".
Notices were posted at the stile crossing near the junction of Glan Y Mor Road and Pentywyn Road last week confirming the access point to the coastal cyclepath will be shut, with Network Rail citing a "near-miss" involving a teenage girl earlier this year as the reason.
A spokeswomen for the organisation said: "Network Rail takes safety extremely seriously and our ultimate aim is to save and protect lives. The footpath level crossing is built for private use and it does not have a public right of way. Following a recent near-miss incident, we have taken a decision to close it as we simply cannot allow similar incidents to happen again."
But despite vocal opposition from councillors urging Network Rail to reconsider, access has been fenced off, with engineers reportedly visiting the site yesterday (Tuesday) to remove the stile.
Deganwy councillor, Jason Weyman, said: "Network Rail seem to have made their mind up without consulting with the public or even attempting to pacify us by offering to meet us. I sent them a fundamental report and received a reply saying 'it should be noted that our position regarding our decision to close the crossing has not, and will not change'.
"I got a comment on my blog from a Conwy man who regularly walks to Deganwy's Castle View pub, buys a paper from Mr Patel's newsagent, then sits on the bank with a bag of chips [and] a lot of people on the Deganwy Quay walk along the cycle path to the pub - whether or not they still continue to remains to be seen. It's not the same walk along Glan Y Mor Road as it is the estuary.
"Local business will be hit - they will miss passing trade and regular customers. It is concerning for them."
Llandudno Junction councillor Mike Priestley confirmed the campaign to save the crossing would continue, with councillors teaming up to rally support and lobby MPs for backing in overturning the decision.
He said: "I'm just absolutely dismayed by the lack of communication Network Rail have shown. They've not listened to us and closed their minds - it's going to upset an awful lot of people. This is certainly not the end.
"I urge all residents to show their support for the crossing. I'm not going to let this go, but we've got a massive fight on our hands."
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