A new housing development in Gobowen could lead to £20,000 in rail safety improvements.

Derwen College is seeking planning permission to build more than 30 homes on land off Southlands Avenue in the village.

But Network Rail has now called on them to provide investment that would bring safety changes to an intersection of a nearby public footpath with the line that runs from the village towards Shrewsbury.

Barbara Morgan, town planning technician for Western and Wales at Network Rail, said: "While there is no objection in principle to this proposal, due to the close proximity of the nearby public footpath crossing and the envisaged increase in usage of the crossing, Network Rail would request a contribution from the developer to improve safety measures at the crossing, these would include enhancing the crossing surface, trespass guards and lighting.

"These works would need to be scoped and priced more accurately but would be in the region of approximately £20,000 to upgrade the crossing surface with ambient lighting and install trespass guards."

Currently, the intersection is asphalted and has signage warning walkers of the railway.

Ms Morgan also states that the developers must install a trespass proof fence of at least 1.8 metres adjacent to the Network Rail boundary and the proposed housing estate with buildings being at least two metres from that fence.

A decision on the application is expected from Shropshire Council by April 19.