It may be used by only two trains a week, but a branch railway line in Poole will have to have a £ million bridge to enable pedestrians to cross.

Hamworthy residents have long been awaiting a crossing of the track that leads to the port but Network Rail says it cannot approve a cheaper level crossing because they are dangerous.

"It's a non-electric branch line with a maximum speed at that point of 10mph and two freight trains a week," said Chris Francombe, Borough of Poole transport policy manager.

"I am convinced the risk to pedestrians in crossing Blandford Road, Hamworthy, at a pelican crossing is many times higher than the risk of crossing that railway line," he said.

Now with the new Harbour Reach housing development at Shapwick Road, residents are pressing for a route over the railway to get to Hamworthy Park.

"My understanding is that the residents of the new development are anxious to have it and most of the locals in Hamworthy think it would be very successful," said Mr Francombe.

In a bid to get approval for a simple crossing he has spoken to the Health and Safety Executive and Network Rail, going as high as he could, but to no avail.

"They will not budge at all, we have to have a bridge. Clearly most of the money will come from developers but we haven't got all the money identified at the moment," he said.

A Network Rail spokesman said they did not have the right to open level crossings; there had to be an act of Parliament. This was because they were high risk and open to trespass.

"Network Rail does not encourage opening level crossings because of the risk involved," she said. "They score 90.2 per cent in the risk index."

The council has to complete an environmental assessment, detailed drawings are being prepared for a planning application and Mr Francombe said they hoped to deliver the bridge in 2009.