CAMPAIGNERS fighting for the removal of new gates at the Goviers Lane railway crossing in Watchet have presented a petition to railway chiefs.

A total of 370 people have backed the call for the gates to be taken down - but the plea comes against a background of continuing vandalism.

Assistant station master Dave Simpson-Scott, who accepted the petition from campaigners on Tuesday, revealed that 'dampers' or 'closures' fitted to the steel structures just over a week ago in a bid to reduce the noise when they shut had been destroyed.

The closures, which cost the West Somerset Railway £500, will be replaced but Mr Simpson-Scott said the continuing vandalism following the installation of the controversial gates had to stop.

This included the regular tying back of the gates, graffiti, "dangerous" posters claiming to be written by the WSR inviting visitors to follow dangerous routes into the town, and verbal abuse to WSR volunteers.

Mr Simpson-Scott appealed to campaigners fighting for the removal of the gates to help stop the vandalism and to organise themselves into a structured protest group.

He reminded them that the background to the installation of the gates was vandalism to the previous flashing lights system and that, despite people's concerns, they had improved overall safety for everyone.

Local people claim the gates have effectively closed off a vital access route to the town for people in wheelchairs and buggies and those with pushchairs because they are impossible to open unaided.

Although the WSR has responded to complaints about noise by fitting the closures on the gates, it has placed the issue of accessibility into the hands of its solicitors.

Petition organiser Cindy Griffiths, who has lived in the town for 34 years, said she hoped the WSR would take notice of the strength of feeling locally: "Something has to be done," she said.

"I've had one lady tell me that she is so busy trying to cope with the gates that she completely forgets about the trains.

"I just hope this petition has some effect in helping to bring about changes."

Mrs Griffiths and other campaigners were told by Mr Simpson-Scott: "You have started a constructive and sensible process to try and get some changes made.

"There are few who like what we now have at Goviers Lane, as pretty well everyone knows.

"But how can I go to the railway and ask for changes when all I get back are comments about vandalism in Watchet?"

Mr Simpson-Scott said it was a nonsense that the new closures on the gate, which had been put there to help people, had been destroyed.

"I want people to help us make a sensible start to overcome the current stupidities for the benefit of all of Watchet, the railway and our numerous summer visitors.

"We then may be able to move forward constructively."

Photo: Steve Guscott