Safety experts have ruled out a bid to restore an emergency telephone at a rail level crossing.

Railtrack removed an emergency telephone close to the automatic gates in Junction Road, Burgess Hill.

The road is one of the busiest in Mid Sussex and a few drivers take the risk of passing red lights rather than wait about five minutes for a train to pass.

One driver took the crossing so fast that his car veered out of control, crashed through a hedge and landed in an allotment about 60 yards away.

Railtrack defended the removal of the telephone, saying because the crossing was covered by CCTV cameras there was no legal obligation on the firm to provide one unless a special order was made.

Telephones had been vandalised and staff at a central control box were often distracted by ringing, created when phones were left hanging loose.

Town councillors, angry at what they see as the possible dangers, lodged a complaint with the Health and Safety Executive.

But after studying the council's comments, the safety bosses have come down on Railtrack's side.

A spokeswoman for the executive said Railtrack would be asked to consider putting up a board giving an emergency telephone number.

She added: "It is not a breach of the health and safety regulations and it is not a requirement to have a telephone."