A PETITION containing more than 400 names calling for the foot crossing at Evesham Railway Station to be reinstated was handed to Terry Worrall, director and general manager of Thames Trains last Thursday.

Mr Worrall, with a high-powered team from Thames Trains and Railtrack, was at Wallace House to explain the decision behind the removal and to answer questions on the future as a result of the row which erupted when the facility was taken away, and with it the means of accessing the London platform for disabled, the elderly and people with pushchairs.

He stressed that the crossing was removed purely on safety grounds and explained: "Having had the risks identified, I could not live with retaining it. I am not going to be responsible for people being trapped on that crossing."

In the long-term, he said, they hoped to provide other facilities, such as a ramped bridge or a signal-controlled crossing, meanwhile arrangements had been made where, by giving 24 hours notice, a taxi service would be provided from Worcester to Evesham as one step towards making things easier for people with disabilities.

Mr Worrall said: "I didn't expect people would be sympathetic but I and my colleagues will work with you all to try and mitigate the short-term effects while we investigate a long-term solution."

But he warned there was not a bottomless purse of money to dip into and rail bosses had to look at spending money where it would be the most cost-effective.

Answering questions, he said he would consider the possibility of the provision of ramps on trains to help wheelchair users and the possibility of an access from Worcester Road.

Afterwards, Steve Arnold, of Disability Awareness in Schools, said: "I don't think anything was resolved. It seems that it is all going to be put right in the future, but the temporary things they have done so far are not working."

Fred Kaler, chairman o Evesham and District Pensioners Association, said: "We are going to keep on campaigning."