The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway has laid tarmac on the approaches to its permissive crossing at Woodmancote, making life easier for people with pushchairs, those confined to a wheel chair and youngsters pushing bikes over the line.

The steam railway’s crossing links two footpaths - one running from housing on the Woodmancote side, the other leading to Bishop’s Cleeve village. Lying almost exactly half way between Station Road and Two Hedges Road, the crossing is a popular route for shoppers, school students and those just out for a walk.

A short path, which has also been surfaced, is on the GWR’s land and links the crossing to Pecked Lane, which ends at the British Legion’s premises on what was once the goods yard at Bishop’s Cleeve station.

The GWR’s Ian Crowder says: "These improvements will make life easier for local people. We recognise that the crossing is very popular and the new surface has made the crossing safer."

"We have considered a number of options for the crossing including a footbridge, but this would need long ramps for pushchairs and anything else with wheels - and that would have been unsightly and very expensive."

"This is probably the best solution."

Trains slow down for the crossing, but Mr Crowder urged people to respect the them. "Safety is our foremost concern but we would remind people that even when running slowly a train can’t be stopped instantly. Trains always whistle or sound their horn when approaching - if you hear the warning, please wait until the train has passed."

The crossing was first put in when the line opened over a century ago. It linked the two sides of Pecked Piece Farm which was divided when the railway was built.