Ed FossA public meeting to discuss the reinstatement of the Sheringham level crossing to connect the mainline Bittern Line to the heritage Poppy Line was held on Friday evening.Ed Foss

A public meeting to discuss the reinstatement of the Sheringham level crossing to connect the mainline Bittern Line to the heritage Poppy Line was held on Friday evening.

The meeting saw two of the leading men in the North Norfolk Railway's project, Steven Ashling and Julian Birley, outline the long running ambition and take questions.

The response from the 30 or so people gathered was 'very friendly and extremely supportive' said the railway's spokesman Colin Borg.

'People could see it will bring business into the town and were very positive about it,' added Mr Borg.

From February 16 to March 6, Station Road will be closed to traffic between the entrances to the main car park and the Bittern Line car park, to allow the installation of the new crossing.

Diversions will be set up for road traffic, but the main car park will remain accessible from the A149 direction. There will also be pedestrian access across Otterndorf Green between Station Road and the car park.

The main part of Station Road and the left-turn access from Station Approach will remain open throughout.

There will be pedestrian access to the Bittern Line station, but the car parking spaces will be unavailable.

The first train across the reinstated crossing will be an inspection coach on February 24, but the main event will see pop impresario and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman perform the opening ceremony on March 11.

He will be alongside the famous steam locomotive Oliver Cromwell, hauling a train from Liverpool Street.