PEOPLE are still risking their lives by crossing the railway line when the barriers are down at Lydney.

The underpass has been closed some 18 months ago because its lack of height no longer meets the necessary regulations. The ownership of the subway is also uncertain.

At last week's Lydney Town Council meeting, Coun Charlotte Matthews said: "This is developing into a very serious situation.

"A video of people undertaking various methods of beating the barrier to get to the station at the end of the last academic year was posted on the internet.

"Measures need to be taken to get the underpass reopened to ensure people's safety.

It's so serious, it's an accident waiting to happen."

Figures supplied by Network Rail reveal that between 2009 and 2012 there were 54 incidents at Lydney level crossing.