Police attend train station after crossing gates fail

Drivers were hit with misery in Furze Platt this morning when a jammed level crossing gate caused a potentially lethal threat.

The crossing gate did not come down even though the red lights were flashing, indicating an approaching train.

Police were alerted and were on the scene within minutes, closing Harrow Lane and neighbouring Queensway.

A spokesman said the situation could have been serious if drivers had tried to 'jump the barrier' while the red lights flashed, thinking they were safe because the crossing had not come down. But it is understood people acted responsibly and there were no 'close shaves'.

The closures caused traffic while engineers worked to repair the crossing which was operative again by 9am.