Rail bosses at first wanted to reduce the attended crossing at Lingholme Lane to a public footpath, but concerns from parish councillors led them to turn their attention to the crossing at Gristhorpe.

Network Rail also suggested linking Lingholme Lane to Carr Lane by turning the existing bridleway into a road – but that has brought howls of protest from nearby residents and farmers.

The "confidential" plans leaked out ahead of last week's parish council meeting, which was attended by about 30 concerned members of the public.

Mushroom farmer Paul Durkin said: "Closing the crossing at Gristhorpe would add considerable expense to our deliveries, and once you start digging into the ground, the spores would start spreading disease. Our mushrooms would become infected and it would basically put us out of business."

Other residents raised concerns about the practicalities of bin wagons and delivery lorries accessing properties south of the crossing in Gristhorpe and the volume of extra traffic that would be forced through the middle of the village.

Farmer Tony Clay said it would be "a cold day in hell" before he sold any of his horse field to build a new road, while Ian Davidson, of Grange Farm in Lebberston, asked how he would be expected to move his sheep.

Stuart Barr, of Carr Lane, said: "We value our quietness and freedom and we don't want any big roads being pushed into our area – and we want the value of our houses to remain the same."

Roland Kendall, also of Carr Lane, recalled the bad feeling caused by Railtrack when it carried out works in the area 10 years ago, and said it was "absolutely despicable" that Network Rail had so far failed to consult any residents.

Parish councillor Fred Ridley said he was strongly opposed to the closure of either crossing. "One of the worst aspects is the proposed link-up road," he said. "The environmental impact would be appalling – that bridle track is is a site for skylarks, lapwings and badgers and it's a drainage point for the land, which floods regularly.

"If the Lebberston crossing closed, the survey by Network Rail indicates there would be 120 extra vehicles running through the narrow centre of Main Street, Gristhorpe, which would bring increased noise and environmental pollution.

"Network Rail has no knowledge or interest in any of that.