A LEVEL crossing which closed last autumn over safety fears has reopened.

The manually-operated Victorian crossing in Plumpton shut at the end of September, effectively dividing the village in two and residents had to make a seven-mile detour to go about their lives.

Sited next to the village’s railway station, the crossing closed when councillors on Lewes District Council’s planning committee rejected plans to replace the traditional crossing with a modern alternative. The council said it believed replacing the listed barrier would cause "substantial harm to the significance of the signal box".

After submitting two planning applications in December - one for temporary permission for the gates' removal and one for a permanent removal - Network Rail started work in January on a new up-to-date crossing.

The new crossing opened yesterday (February 8) but residents and businesses in Plumpton are still hoping for compensation from Network Rail for the upset caused while it was closed.

More than 600 people signed a petition explaining how the closure meant they had to go miles out of their way.

Councillor Reg Stone, vice-chairman of Plumpton Parish Council, said: "It should never have happened in the first place. Not for this length of time.

"It's just a great relief for the village. We have been waiting to hear from Network rail but so far we have had no approach. "We think the village deserves compensation."

Network Rail has apologised and said it is looking at options for the village - but a spokeswoman told The Argus it does "not have the authority to offer financial compensation".

The spokeswoman said: "However, we are looking into how we could give something back to Plumpton for the disruption the village has experienced."

She added: “This has been a difficult time for the people of Plumpton and we are sorry for the disruption they have experienced.

“We have installed a new level crossing, which provides a much greater level of safety for both road users and train passengers.

“The old crossing gates have been stored safely until a decision is made on their final home.

“As an arms-length Government body, we are responsible for taxpayers’ money and we do not have the authority to offer financial compensation."