COMMUTERS at Caldicot train station are “dicing with death” by crossing the railway line to avoid wading through a pool of water to get to the platform.

The concerning issue has been unresolved for around three weeks and affects passengers travelling to destinations like Newport and Cardiff.

A 40-year-old woman, who uses the station to travel to work at a Newport legal practice, said she faced the indignity of paddling through the water which she estimated at its height was nearly 2ft.

She said: “Unfortunately I just went through it in my ordinary clothes, I was wearing a dress and thick tights, my shoes were soaking and I had to sit there in work all day.”

The dirty water has been underneath the bridge since the region experienced the first of the heaviest rainfall several weeks ago.

It is on a road which is the only way to get to the platform to catch trains to Cardiff and Newport, by foot or by car.

The source said to avoid the water, people have been crossing the tracks instead, sometimes within minutes of trains.

Despite urgent calls to Network Rail, she says nothing has been done and fears there could soon be a tragedy.

“People are dicing with death by crossing the track. Only the other day I saw a gentleman push his wife across in a wheelchair and there are others with pushchairs,” said the commuter, who wishes to remain anonymous.

“They are crossing within minutes of trains. I am waiting for a disaster to happen.”

Caldicot councillor Dave Evans said the same spot was affected by flooding a couple of years ago and there was some disagreement over who should deal with it.

On Wednesday, Monmouthshire's highways department produced a map showing that the council's responsibility for maintaining the road from the Severn View Social Club to the railway station ends just before the tunnel.

Cllr Evans said: "I think National Rail should take responsibility and stop passing the buck.

"It's dangerous people are crossing the tracks, if young people see grown-ups doing it they will follow. The more people complain about the issue, hopefully we will get it sorted quicker."

A spokeswoman for National Rail was sent a copy of the map and said the matter would be investigated further: "We are taking this matter very seriously as trespassing onto the railway track is illegal and could result in serious consequences. We will be inspecting the site to investigate the cause of the problem and if necessary, work with Monmouthshire council to address the issue. In the meantime, we also urge the public to report any incidents of misuse to the British Transport Police."