Villagers are split over the impending opening of a newly designed level crossing in Minety.

Some want the crossing permanently closed over safety fears while others say it is imperative that the road across the railway track should remain open.

The crossing is part of a £45m improvement project to the Swindon-Kemble railway line, which passes through Minety.

Previously the crossing was opened by a guard whenever a train was due to pass through. The revamped crossing, which is set to open later this month, has barriers that automatically close when a train is due.

People living near the crossing fear that, without a guard, reckless drivers might see the barriers begin to close and speed across, potentially crashing into an oncoming vehicle.

They claim the refurbished crossing, on slightly raised ground, reduces visibility for motorists.

But when the prospect of the road being permanently closed was raised – before work began – hundreds of Minety residents said they wanted it to remain open.

They said it was the “second road out of Minety” and often became vital when the main route was flooded.

Residents recently met representatives from Network Rail to voice their fears. The body has since commissioned a safety audit and is due to release the results soon.

Parish council chairman Charles Cook said: “Safety is the main priority.

“What we want is a safe level crossing but with the road kept open.”

A spokesman for Network Rail said it had built the crossing to a highways-approved design but had asked an independent specialist company to review the work.