THIS driver had a lucky escape after becoming trapped on a York level crossing moments before a high-speed train sped past only feet from the vehicle.

The near-miss at the crossing in Wigginton Road near the Nestlé factory was captured on camera by Press reader Dave Welbeck.

Mr Welbeck said he believed the motorist stopped at the flashing light, but may not have realised he was on the wrong side of the barrier until it was too late.

The Wigginton Road crossing featured in The Press last year after the barrier came down on the roof of a lorry which had not stopped at the flashing lights.

Clifton councillors said it may now be time for Network Rail to assess safety at the site.

Mr Welbeck, of Heworth, who runs a haulage company in York, was heading in the direction of York city centre when he witnessed the incident.

He said: “I don’t know whether he didn’t see the lights or wasn’t concentrating.

“He went through, realised what had happened, obviously stopped and reversed but of course the barrier had come down.” He said he did not think the driver had done anything wrong. “I only saw an amber light on the level crossing then the barrier came down. The problem is clearly theirs and not the driver’s. There’s a problem at the site.”

In 2006 the crossing was highlighted as one of the worst in Yorkshire for drivers risking their lives by dodging the lights and driving over the tracks, although it is not known if this was the cause of Thursday night’s incident.

Clifton ward Councillor, Ken King, said when the lights were on amber, drivers must stop.

However, he said: “It’s no good them (the barriers) coming down when the lights are on amber. Maybe that’s something they should look at. There’s some safety issue there and it needs looking at.”

Fellow Clifton councillor David Scott said: “There’s a change of speed limit and there’s a bend and there’s Nestlé coming up in your sightline. Maybe it’s just too many distractions.”

It is understood the barrier gives drivers a maximum of 15 seconds from the lights beginning to flash amber, to the barriers coming down.

The incident comes as Network Rail is looking at ways of reducing the number of level crossings throughout the UK.

A Network Rail spokesman said the incident served as a “stark warning and reminder to all drivers they must observe the safety warnings at level crossings”. The company said it was aware some drivers were entering the “yellow box” before their exit was clear – risking becoming trapped if the barriers are activated. It also said the crossing, along with all others in the UK, were regularly safety checked by Network Rail and ORR, the independent rail regulator.

Vicki Smith, community safety manager for Network Rail, said: “Any misuse of level crossings is incredibly dangerous. “I hope this picture helps to remind people to use crossings safely. I understand that waiting can be frustrating, but warnings including lights and barriers are there to protect the public from an incredibly busy rail network. We urge people to obey the warnings and not risk their lives or cause costly delays to the network.”

• If you witnessed this incident, or were involved in any way, or have had a similar incident yourself, please contact our news desk on 01904 567131 or newsdesk@thepress.co.uk