Controversial plans to close level crossings in a Suffolk town during the Christmas period have been postponed after businesses warned they could lose thousands of pounds in trade. 

In September, the EADT reported how business owners feared losing vital income during the busy festive period, especially as they were still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The change of plan will now mean crossings that had been due to close at Ferry Lane and Haywards will remain open throughout December and into the New Year, along with Lime Kiln and Sun Wharf. 

Houseboat owner Wendy Rigby welcomed the news that the Ferry Lane crossing would be staying open, allowing access for residents of houseboats on Ferry Quay and emergency vehicles, but said more consideration should have been made of the impact of the closures in the first place. 

She was especially concerned for disabled and elderly residents who would have had to walk over a ‘rickety’ old footbridge to reach their homes due to the crossing being closed. 

She said: “We are pleased, but we think as a collective round here that they should have thought of this before just going gung-ho into it and closing it without any thought. 

“There was no thought for people on this side of the level crossing.” 

In a letter to residents, seen by the EADT, Donna Gilhooly, Network Rail’s community relations manager, announced the changes which would keep the crossings at Ferry Lane and Haywards open in the run up to Christmas. 

She said she understood the level crossing closures could cause ‘local disruption’ and the changes had been made to ‘minimise the impact on Christmas trade’. 

However, rail infrastructure owner Network Rail will still be closing crossings at Jetty Lane and Kingston Fields in Woodbridge next weekend as part of plans to replace ageing track in the town to ensure the safe and reliable running of services. 

Brian Wolfe, who owns and manages The Tea Hut café on River Wall, said this meant his business would not benefit as the Jetty Lane and Kingston Fields crossings would be closed next weekend, cutting off his café customers. 

“The change of plan has not really done us any good whatsoever, so nothing changes for us,” he said. 

Some of the track dates back nearly 100 years and the work is being conducted to track in an area from Bealings level crossing to Sun Wharf level crossing to make the line safe and reliable for services. 

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The work to renew the track will continue as previously notified from this weekend but the level crossings closures will be replanned for later in 2023 and notifications will be issued to the community to advise of the new dates when known.”