Douglas Richardson said Railtrack's failure to repair track fencing was endangering the lives of his cattle - and passengers.

"Railtrack do nothing unless a problem holds up a train and costs them money," he said.

"But if I start repairing the fences and a cow gets out and causes an accident I am worried the responsibility will be pushed on to me."

On Monday a Railtrack spokesman urged Mr Richardson, of Tabley Close, Knutsford, to contact them again.

"We take all reports of damage to railway fencing very seriously whether it's a danger to livestock or to humans," he said.

Mr Richardson, whose family have farmed in Plumley for 40 years, has to cross the Chester to Manchester railway line twice a day to take his 90 cows to be milked.

He used to consult a passenger train timetable to gauge when it was safe to cross, but he could never be sure if a freight train was due.

"It was a hair-raising experience being out on the track because a train would come and you would have to get the cows off the crossing and close the gates," he said.

Now telephones have been installed which means farm workers can phone a signalman to get the all-clear then call again when the herd have reached the safety of fields nearby.

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