FARNHAM station’s level crossing will soon close “every four minutes” on the resumption of twice-hourly Farnham to Guildford rail services, according an eagle-eyed commuter.

Writing to the Herald after analysing South Western Railway’s new timetable this week, Farnham resident Chris Roberts said: “From May 19, when the Farnham to Guildford service begins, the level crossing will be closed eight times per hour.

“The average continuous time the crossing will be open is only four minutes! The longest single time the crossing will be open is seven minutes.”

This, he added, is dramatically reduced from the two 24-minute windows the crossing is currently open every hour – and will lead to “a day-long standstill”.

Mr Roberts’ analysis has been endorsed by the Alton Line Users Association (ALUA) and ward councillor Andy MacLeod, who said: “These new services are going to create an enormous amount of disruption because there’s going to be much smaller windows when people can pass through the crossing.”

He added that he has addressed the issue with officers at both Waverley and Surrey councils, but has been told that it is a “matter for the Department for Transport”.

“They are the ones who gave the franchise to South Western Railway, and partly this was based on the fact they were going to provide a whole range of new services – not just this one, but across the network,” Mr MacLeod continued.

“All we can do is monitor it when it actually starts to happen and complain loudly at the enormous disruption.”

An ALUA spokesman added: “Clearly, any teething troubles will need to be closely observed by both South Western Railway and Network Rail.”

Network Rail and South Western Railway had not replied to the Herald’s request for a comment at the time of going to press