A three-day long public inquiry will be held over the closure of a level crossing in a rural part of North Lincolnshire. Worlaby Village Hall will host the unusual event on April 9-11, from 10am. A planning inspector will chair the inquiry. A level crossing on Carr Lane, Worlaby, was closed some years ago by Network Rail. Worlaby Parish Council and North Lincolnshire Council have opposed the closure as it removes villager access to Ancholme Valley Way. Read More: The big change coming to bin collections in northern Lincolnshire, as councils awarded millions of pounds to prepare A peek inside the new rustic-chic coffee shop Patty's Pastries The closure of the level crossing has blocked access to the River Ancholme for Worlaby residents. North Lincolnshire Council and Network Rail are the disputing parties at the public inquiry and will be represented by barristers. The Carr Lane level crossing has been a regular standing item at parish council meetings for several years. At its December 2021 meeting, it agreed a letter to write to Brigg and Wolds Ward Cllr Rob Waltham to request an update. In this letter, the parish council states it understands Network Rail's strategic priorities are to maximise rail track for freight for economic and environmental reasons, and to minimise pedestrian access to the track for safety. The parish council expressed support for these aims, but believed villagers should still be able to access freely a known, historical footpath to the river. Worlaby Parish Council chair Cllr Mike Speakman confirmed it is opposed to the level crossing's closure, with village access to the river cut off as a result. "Many residents and other groups have previously enjoyed access across the railway to the banks of the Ancholme." Want to sign up to the Scunthorpe newsletter, but can’t access the link below? Click here . Cllr Waltham has also called for the crossing's reopening and recognition of the path as a public right of way. "Residents and visitors have been using Carr Lane for many generations to get to and from the village but also to access the River Ancholme. "It is a key access point for the Ancholme Valley Way and wider into the Wolds and the Low Villages for people walking and cycling. It should be opened back up and recignised as a public right of way immediately." North Lincolnshire Council's case for its reopening will rest on historic documents, and the testimonies of the public and its historical use. Anyone wishing to give evidence of the crossing should attend the first day of the inquiry to register their desire to speak. This will not mean they will be called back that day, but their interest will be noted. Network Rail were unable to provide comment ahead of publication, but hope to issue an update on it soon.