Plans to change the way the railway barriers that divide Steventon village are controlled are causing serious concerns.

A significant number of residents live “over” the barriers, which are currently controlled from a “keeper’s hut” on The Causeway.

It came as a complete surprise to learn from a report by the parish council in the September issue of the Steventon News that the barriers were going to be upgraded/replaced, and that they would be controlled from an office in Swindon by December 2011.

While the replacement of the barriers with more reliable ones is welcomed, there is, however a considerable amount of concern regarding the control of the barriers from Swindon.

There has been no consultation with residents of Steventon by Network Rail outlining their plans, and no reassurance to residents and local businesses of the safety of operations (remotely) that emergency services can get access (the barriers can be down for periods of five to 20 minutes).

Residents turned up at the Steventon Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, September 6, to put questions to Network Rail contractor Carillion, who had been invited to the meeting to explain what was going to happen.

Carillion declined to attend, as did anyone from Network Rail, stating that “no further consultation was required”.

It would appear that we have moved from the Big Society and community care to one of “Big Bully Society”.

Dr CHRIS WILDING Castle Street Steventon