Chaos after double-decker bus hits railway crossing in Canterbury
A double-decker bus
smashed through this level crossing in Canterbury today
by Alex Claridge
Train services ground to a halt in east Kent this morning after
a bus ploughed through a level crossing in Canterbury.
The double-decker ripped the barriers off their
fixtures and forced traffic to stop on both sides of St Dunstan's
Street.
Kent Police were called to the scene by the driver of the
Stagecoach Unibus at 9.25am.
It is thought the bus might have been trying to go across the
railway lines as the barriers were coming down.
Stagecoach Unibus after
hitting a level crossing in Canterbury
The bus, whose route runs between the University of Kent and the
city centre, was travelling towards the Westgate Towers from
Whitstable Hill.
Chris Pragnell, 38, of Orchard Street, said: "It was chaos."
Southeastern trains between Ashford International
and Ramsgate had been cancelled or delayed this morning.
Lines were re-opened by about 10am and replacement buses were
stood down, however some delays remain.
Network Rail spokesman Jon Crampton said: "The barrier at the
level crossing was struck by a bus at 9.20am causing some
disruption to services.
"We have sent our engineers to repair the barriers and they will
be there until the crossing is fully repaired.
"Trains started running again at 9.50am. There will be minor
disruptions while this work is being carried out and we will aim to
finish the repairs as soon as possible."
No one was injured as a result of the crash.
Video: Scene of the level
crossing in St Dunstan's Street after a bus crashed into the level
crossing
05/03/13
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