A Micheldever resident alleges he and his family have been placed in a “life or death” situation by Network Rail over fencing near to the South Western Main Line.

Fred Loveridge claims that he and his family are “unsafe” after a wire fence separating them from a 15m drop onto the railway was “taken out” by a tree, where trains can run at up to 100mph.

He told the Gazette that he was worried for his grandchildren’s safety, with children from the ages of two and up living next to the railway. “You can’t watch children all the time,” he said. “In the distance from the bungalows to the fence, a parent couldn’t stop a running child in time.

“If you trip accidentally and fall onto the railway, no one’s going to live.”

However, Network Rail say that they “have been refused access to carry out the work.”

Mr Loveridge and his family live on land adjacent to the Popham Tunnels, which carry the London to Southampton line under the A303.

The tunnels are separated by a 120m long, 15m deep “steep-sided chalk cutting” which his family live at the top of. Mr Loveridge alleges that Network Rail agreed to replace the fence with a safer alternative “months ago.”

“I sold them a piece of land so they could get access to the railway,” he alleges. “It said they’d do it in the contract. They promised there would be a proper fence here, but they’re kicking it down the line. It should have been done, or made safe, within days.”

Mr Loveridge, who is from the traveller community, claims he is being discriminated against, saying: “If there were sheep, cattle or dogs up here they would have the fence up. Gypsy lives matter too.”

His daughter-in-law also alleges that the fence issues are affecting her children, as work cannot begin on a garden for the bungalows until the fence is complete. “The children couldn’t go out in lockdown,” she said.

When asked for comment by the Gazette, a Network Rail spokesperson said: “We’re unable to carry out any work to install fencing from Network Rail’s land, owing to the site being close to a steep bank.

“We carried out an inspection a few years ago, and agreed to build an appropriate fence. Unfortunately, despite several attempts, we have been refused access to carry out the work.

“We are keen to work with Mr Loveridge to find an amicable solution and discussions about building a permanent fence are ongoing.”