Several near-misses on a railway crossing have sparked calls for improved safety measures from neighbours.

Concerns have been raised about the site in Tonford Lane, Thanington, which has no warning lights despite some trains passing through seven seconds after first coming into view.

Colin Goldsack, who has lived nearby for 15 years and regularly crosses the tracks with his dog, fears it poses a danger to users.

The 79-year-old says there have been several close shaves in recent years, including a recent near-tragedy involving a young cyclist.

“We were out walking the other day and went across the railway line,” he said.

“We always look, but there are bends in either direction and you can only see about 200 yards along the line each way.

“We got about 10ft across when we heard the gate open again and close with a loud bang.

“There was a cyclist - a young lad in his 20s - who was wheeling his bike across.

"We always look, but there are bends in either direction and you can only see about 200 yards along the line each way" - Colin Goldsack

“He had just opened the gate and started pushing his bike out.

"Then all of a sudden a train came along without any sound or warning at all, and he had to quickly pull his bike back and go back through the gate.

“It was pretty scary. It did frighten us a bit.”

The grandfather-of-four is now calling for lights to be introduced at the crossing, and for all trains to sound their horns on the approach.

“There is a light about 100 metres along the track but it’s always an amber light - it doesn’t change colours and nobody seems to know what it means,” he said.

“They should make it like a traffic light that changes from green to red if a train’s coming.

"Everyone understands what red and green lights mean.”

Mr Goldsack says his brother, who lives a couple of doors down from him and has mobility issues, has stopped using the crossing as he cannot open the gates.

“It’s a very heavy gate that closes with a loud 'bang',” he said.

“A lot of people cycle and walk across there, and if you have a bike or something and suddenly have to get through that gate quickly, it must be problematic.”

Mr Goldsack’s son, Simon, added: “Will it take a death to effect a change?

"A simple light warning at the crossing is what is needed, or the minimum of trains sounding horns. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Network Rail says there are no plans to make changes at the Tonford crossing.

“All level crossings are individually risk-assessed and the frequency of the assessment is determined by an industry used risk tool,” a spokesman said.

“Signs are also clearly marked at Tonford Lane which remind users to look out for trains, along with warning signs not to trespass on the line.”

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