Vehicle drives into Deeping St James level crossing barrier

The barrier at the crossing in Station Road, Deeping St James, was struck at about 4.50pm on Saturday. A Network Rail spokesman said: “The barrier was struck by a vehicle which didn’t stop in time as the barrier came down. This snapped the barrier off.

“It was replaced the same day and the and normal working was resumed at 9.15pm.”

A British Transport Police added: “We were called to the crossing in Station Road, Deeping St James, at 4.55pm on Saturday, May 16, following reports of a car striking a barrier before driving off.

“Colleagues from Lincolnshire Police also attended and found the barrier had been broken.

“Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference 370 of May 16 16. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The automated barriers replaced the manned crossing in November last year. An old signal box building was taken down despite a campaign from Deeping St James residents to save it.

The campaign group now hopes to rebuild the signal box nearby and has secured Government funding to do so.

Some residents living near the crossing initially suggested that the barrier had broken without a vehicle hitting it. Network Rail officials insisted a vehicle was involved.