CHILTERN Railways has come under fire for failing to listen to commuter complaints about a locked gate that prevents them reaching their cars parked in Duke Street.

Last month Leanne Casellas, who commutes to London each day, voiced her frustrations that the eight-foot gate was now locked at 9pm instead of 11pm, meaning people were either faced with a long walk all the way around the High Wyombe station or a climb over the gate.

Chiltern Railways said there were no plans to revert to the old gate opening times, but since Ms Casellas spoke out other passengers have added their weight to calls for a change.

Ross Moss, from Common Side, Downley, is angry that old signage, saying the gate closes at 11pm has still not been taken down.

He said: "I got off the train, pointing out the old signage to a station cleaner. I'm in my late 70s so climbing the gate wasn't really an option. So I had to make the detour from the main entrance, wondering how it would be for someone with a walking disability at that hour."

Josephine Andrews, 43, from Amersham Road, said: "I have seen lots of young men climbing over the gate and I am sure someone is going to hurt themselves. I don't see what the point is in closing the gate at 9pm when the station is still busy."

Ms Casellas was told that a guard was available at night to open the gate on request, but she has seen no evidence of this.

She said: "Apart from the sheer inconvenience of this decision there are very real issues that should be addressed now, not after a real problem arises like a woman being attacked or a would-be-gate-scaler falling down and breaking bones."

Chiltern Railways said the gate has been put up for customer safety because staff were concerned about trouble-makers entering the station late at night and upsetting customers.

Trevor Fenwick, station manager with Chiltern Railways, said: "We do appreciate that locking the gate on platform 3 at 9pm on weekdays may inconvenience a number of passengers, which is why we have arranged for a security guard to open the gate for customers upon request.

"We made the decision to close the gate in an attempt to minimise ongoing antisocial behaviour, such as vandalism, and to discourage non-paying customers. Passenger safety is of paramount importance to us."

The company said the outdated signs will be removed shortly.