Villagers have watched with interest as a new flight of steps has remained cordoned off for three months.

Instead of being allowed easy access between the station and its nearby car park, rail users have had to walk down a narrow approach road, where they are at risk from passing cars.

But this week, Railtrack spokesman Karen Gee says the waiting is finally over.

"There have been some adjustments which needed to be made before we would happily open the steps," said Karen.

"We appreciate that it has taken a while, but there is now no major problem with opening the steps in the next 14 days."

The project began a year ago, and was designed to make access to the station safer.

But although the steps were completed in June, Railtrack said that they didn't have adequate safety measures for wintry weather.

There followed a four-week hunt for a contractor who could provide the right kind of non-slip treads or 'nosings' for the steps.

And Railtrack then decided that road markings would also improve safety at the bottom of the steps.

"We were conscious that people using them shouldn't have to walk out in front of fast-moving traffic at the bottom end," said Ms Gee.

"So we have arranged to paint road markings down there. These will include a cross-hatched yellow square, and a warning to drivers to look left and right."

Hartford's parish councillors are relieved to hear the news. They have been fed up with the saga of what chairman Shirley Harris called "the useless steps."

"They're saying 14 days, but I'll believe it when I see it," said Clr Harris. "We've been told this before, and it's becoming a little bit of a farce.

"And now they've decided to go to town on the road, I can't help but think they'll delay it again - to put a lollipop lady on the steps."

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