ULVERSTON town councillors were furious after Railtrack turned down an invitation to discuss fears about the removal of safety equipment from the Leven Viaduct.

Coun Bob Bolton told a town council meeting: "They have made a decision - be it on their heads if something happens."

In March, a signal box at Plumpton and a wind-speed alarm were removed from the line which crosses Morecambe Bay, linking Cark and Ulverston.

The town council and Ulverston Trades Council feared passengers' lives could be put at risk by the removal of the alarm, which warned when winds gusted above 70mph and stopped trains when winds exceeded 90mph.

They lobbied Prime Minister Tony Blair for the return of the equipment and invited Railtrack to attend an open meeting to discuss the matter.

But at the latest town council meeting, councillors were furious to hear that Railtrack felt there was no need to meet them.

A letter was read out from Railtrack community relations manager Bob Clarke, which said the line was safe because they could now speak to drivers by telephone and Railtrack's control room was monitoring the weather in direct contact with the Met Office.

"There would be no benefit in Railtrack attending the meeting as our policy has been clearly outlined in conjunction with the reasoning behind the decision," he wrote.

Councillors also condemned the actions of the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in backing Railtrack's decision to remove the wind gauge.

They voted to write to all parties and keep the letters on file so the public would know who to blame if there was a tragedy.

"They are right, it is clearly of no benefit for them to come here because if they came here they would be rounded on," said Coun Ron Creer.

"They are a private organisation and they are only in it for profit, they only make noises about safety."

Coun Colin Hodgson said Railtrack's answer was unsatisfactory and the wind gauge remained the only way of accurately monitoring wind speed.

"They say they can get in touch with people on the trains but they have to find the telephone number, get in contact with the centre and then ring the train," he said.

"By that time the train is going to be off the viaduct and in the water."