VILLAGERS in Ingatestone fear a new railway crossing will compromise the security and privacy of their homes.
Darren Hepple, who lives in Heybridge Road, was shocked to learn of the proposal in a letter from Network Rail which was pushed through his letterbox on April 24.
It stated that a new crossing, to replace Footpath 37 near Ingatestone Hall, would be installed over the railway line a short distance from the back of his property – with the result that a long walkway will run along the edge of the gardens of the houses on his road.
In preparation, staff from Network Rail have hacked back the vegetation to the rear of his property.
Mr Hepple, 48, who has lived in his property for the past 19 years, said: "This letter was unbelievable – I can't believe anyone would just accept it.
"It's absolutely scandalous – it's opening us up to burglars and destroying our privacy.
"They have cut down all the shrubs at the rear of my property – it's a disgrace.
"In the letter they referred to themselves as our neighbour – if they were my neighbour I'd give them an ASBO because they're atrocious."
He added: "There were birds nesting in the trees but they didn't care.
"Wildlife was flourishing and there were slow worms and lizards on the bank – so they will all be disrupted."
Mr Hepple added that he could see no reason why Network Rail could not re-open Footpath 37 – a path which has remained closed since 2011.
"I don't see what was wrong with the other footpath," he said.
"No one wants the other one to go and if they put automatic gates up there would be no danger."
Victoria Rampaul is another resident of Heybridge Road who received a letter from Network Rail.
The 42-year-old, who has lived in the property for 18 months, said: "The letter was posted the day that they started the work and some people on the road haven't event received them.
"I was sat in my conservatory and saw men cutting down the shrubs and was shocked."
Her husband Andrew, 48, added: "They said the path would be 100m before crossing the track, but it runs right up to our house, which makes it 300m – it doesn't go anywhere and passes the crossing."
A spokesman from Network Rail said it always sought to inform residents about work on railway land which may affect them.
It said letters were sent to residents in Heybridge Road on April 19 to advise them that vegetation clearance would be taking place from 8am to 5pm between April 22 and May 3.
Network Rail added: "We are continuing to assess all the options for a permanent, viable solution to enable local users to cross the railway safely and are liaising with the county council and other interested parties as part of that process.
"In the meantime, as a temporary measure, we intend to move the crossing approximately 100 yards south of the existing location to provide a safer place to cross the railway.
"We will be creating footpaths on either side of the railway to the new crossing location and as part of that work we will be installing new fencing to clearly demarcate the extent of our property, improving security for our neighbours and helping deter trespass either onto or from railway land."
A drop-in session at Ingatestone station has been organised by Network Rail on Thursday, May 2 at 10am for residents to discuss the issue.
