A crash at a busy railway crossing left many stuck in gridlock traffic this morning – after the barriers malfunctioned.

The A28 Sturry Hill was blocked in both directions after a vehicle collided with the level crossing between the A291 and Field Way.

Residents in the area claimed the barriers had been closed since before 6am, while traffic reporting system Inrix said there was a delay as operators awaited engineers to fix the problem.

The route has since reopened, with Kent Police stating a minor two-car collision on Sturry Hill shortly after 7.30am was unrelated to the level crossing closure.

Network Rail have been contacted for comment.