A bus crashing into the level crossing barriers in Sandwich has reinforced a residents’ campaign for yellow hatching on the road.

The number 14 Stagecoach bus crashed into the barriers on Friday, October 2, at the Dover Road crossing.

This caused traffic chaos as the damaged train gates became stuck and a new part had to be delivered before traffic could move.

Kath Gifford, of Stone Cross Lees, said yellow hatching could have prevented the accident.

She has been campaigning for the painted lines to be reinstated since March 2008, when she claims renovation works saw the markings disappear.

She said: “Dover Road/New Street is blocked by queuing traffic on a regular basis especially during the hours of 8.30am to 9am and again later in the day when buses are either disgorging students or picking them up.

Add into the mix the car transporters delivering vehicles to the New Street Garage and parents on the school run.

“We have often said this is an accident waiting to happen. The incident reinforces our concerns.”

Ms Gifford contacted Network Rail repeatedly over the years. The Mercury also contacted the company, most recently in August last year.

We were told it is a manned crossing and does not require the yellow hatching.

A spokesman said: “What it does have is flashing lights, audible warnings and full-length barriers, which provide suitable protection for road users.”

Ms Gifford claims in the Traffic Signals Manual 2003, it states that these markings can be used to improve traffic flow when crossings are likely to become blocked. She says this should apply to the crossing in Sandwich.

Last week the Mercury reported that after the incident bus company Stagecoach launched a full investigation.

A spokesman for Stagecoach said: “We have fully investigated what happened in this incident and have taken appropriate action.

“We are not able to comment on the specific details of the investigation, but we do take incidents of this nature very seriously.”