RESIDENTS in Llanwern who feared they could be cut off from Newport under plans to close Bishton rail crossing are celebrating after Network Rail scrapped the plans.

The Bishton community held meetings with rail chiefs in the latter part of last year to express their fears about the proposal which would have seen the local bus route changed and traffic having to use a 6.5-mile diversion.

And following the consultations, Network Rail told the Argus they were no longer going to pursue the plan.

Residents claimed the only alternative to the crossing was an underpass which many vehicles - including buses, tractors and police vans - are too big to use and is prone to flooding.

More than 60 locals signed a petition against the plan, and dozens of residents attended a heated meeting last year.

The level crossing is manually operated by two employees, from 6am to 10pm daily, and is used mainly by traffic coming off the M4 at the Magor junction and vehicles entering Bishton from Goldcliff and Redwick.

Network Rail said the main reason for closure was concerns over the safety of such crossings.

Sixteen trains use the crossing every hour and this number is set to rise, with each train travelling at speeds of around 100 mph.

Llanwern councillor Carole Atwell said she was delighted Network Rail had dropped the idea.

"I think it shows they have actually listened to the very real concerns of the residents and taken on board how this would have affected them."

John Davies, chairman of Bishton Community Council, added: "We are very pleased with the decision.

"It would have caused inconvenience to a lot of people, particularly farmers."

A Network Rail spokesman said the plans were scrapped after bosses listened to the views of residents.