THE chief executive of Network Rail has given his personal assurances that work to improve safety at the treacherous Broken Cross railway bridge will get under way "as quickly as possible".

Calls to change the road layout at the dangerous spot intensified last November, when a motorist had a lucky escape after her car ploughed through the railings and fell 20ft on to the main railway line, luckily missing high-speed commuter trains.

The notorious bridge, on the A338, near Ford, has been the scene of many accidents over several years.

Salisbury MP Robert Key is leading a campaign calling for a long-term solution to improve safety.

After the latest lucky escape, Mr Key wrote to Network Rail, which is working with Wiltshire county council to address the problem.

In his reply to the MP, chief executive John Armitt said he was aware of the bridge danger.

"I can assure you that we are working with Wiltshire county council and this issue remains a high priority for both our organisations," he wrote.

"Network Rail has confirmed that we will provide a funding contribution to bridge work.

"Whilst we agree with the council that the issue will be prioritised on a national basis, this bridge does score highly on the national risk register and Network Rail is keen to see work taken forward as quickly as possible."

The next step involves determining how much money is available for the improvements and making risk assessments to ascertain the best course of action.

"This is good progress," said Mr Key.

"It shows it is being taken seriously at the very highest level."

A spokesman for Wiltshire county council said the highways department was looking at introducing interim measures to make the stretch safer until a long-term solution could be found.

"These things don't happen overnight, because we need to decide on the right solution," he said.

"So we are looking at other options, such as realigning the kerbs, which changes the path of the road and should force the traffic to take the corner in a safer manner.

"We are also looking at anti-skid markings, which allow traffic to brake more quickly. But there really is no reason for people to go too quickly on the bridge.

"There are ample speed-restriction signs and interactive signs that flash if they are going too fast."