RAILWAY enthusiasts admit they feel like “vultures” for volunteering to take away a much-loved Victorian-period village level-crossing.

East Kent Railway heritage group is due to receive the 19th century crossing gates at Plumpton should they be replaced under plans proposed by Network Rail.

But the rail lovers said they would be campaigning to keep the gates in place if they lived in the Sussex village.

Residents have just a matter of days to have their say on plans for a temporary solution to remove the gates, linked to a grade II listed signal box, and replace them with a modern alternative.

Network Rail has submitted a new application, after its previous effort was rejected, in the hope of ending the impasse and road closures.

The rail body contacted a number of heritage railways, including Bluebell Railway, and specialist crossing manufacturers, to see if any could build and install a replica crossing in the style of the existing gate, one of 200 remaining in the country - but none are able to.

Network Rail said the current gates are “regularly failing” with 24 faults recorded between January and mid July this year and a close call recorded by staff in June.

An official inspection report at the end of October found routine maintenance was no longer possible on the gate with key components showing extreme wear and tear.

The rail body estimates the existing gates can only last for a further 12 to 18 months and would remain at risk of “catastrophic failure”.

Network Rail also says staff could refuse to carry out maintenance and repairs because they are not trained on the Victorian equipment.

Gary Cox of East Kent Railway wrote: "I truly feel like a bit of a vulture here, as I have to say that if I lived in your village, I would be joining your campaign to save your crossing gates and I wish you all the best of luck in keeping them.

“I have been looking for a pair of manned crossing gates like this for a while now and while I hope you are successful with retaining the gates, if that is not possible, I can offer them a good home and a future.”

Residents have until Friday to comment on planning application LW/15/0866 at lewes.gov.uk.