Lorry smashes through Portslade crossing

Motorists watched in horror as a skip truck ploughed through closing barriers near Portslade railway station.

After the collision the lorry, which left behind a broken barrier and lines of traffic, continued down Boundary Road.

Witnesses described seeing warning lights flashing and hearing a siren indicating that the barriers were closing as a train approached.

Annette Gauntlett, landlady of the Victoria pub, opposite the crossing, said the top of the vehicle had struck the barrier.

She added: "Basically he just kept going. I don't know if the man even knew he had done it."

She said afterwards there was confusion as the crossing was blocked by the broken barrier.

Ms Gauntlett said: "The barrier was stuck. It collapsed on to the road.

"The police arrived quickly and controlled the traffic."

Police and highways staff from Brighton and Hove City Council rushed to the scene at about 11.40am yesterday (tues) in a bid to ease congestion.

Diversions were set up in the area as Network Rail staff worked to replace the broken barrier, which was fully operational by early evening.

Trains continued to use the line, but travelled with caution at 5mph through the crossing until the repair work was finished.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We were working with Sussex Police to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

“It was disruptive to road users and pedestrians but fortunately no one has been injured."

He added that jumping gates, swerving round barriers and ignoring warning signs often ended in tragedy.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “The incident happened at 11.41am on Tuesday and resulted in damage to the crossing that prevented the barriers from operating correctly. Some road closures were put into operation while the crossing was repaired and it was re-opened by 3.45pm.”

A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

He was last night being interviewed by police.