A RAILWAY crossing closure caused traffic chaos as residents and emergency vehicles struggled to get in and out of Frinton.

The crossing, which is the main route in and out of town, was shut for hours on Sunday.

Network Rail arranged the closure so new track could be installed along the railway line and used cones to stop cars using the crossing.

Bosses said the essential works were part of vital rail improvement plans, and warning signs had been up at the crossing for weeks to warn drivers.

However, motorists still struggled with the closure and the narrow Central Avenue bridge access point was reportedly log-jammed for hours. An ambulance responding to an emergency call was among the vehicles to get stuck in the Central Avenue chaos.

Sonya Watkins, of Greenway, Frinton, saw an ambulance try to get across the railway crossing before getting stuck in the gridlocked traffic by Pedlars Wood.

She drove the long way into Frinton using Woodberry Way, in Walton, and saw the ambulance was still stuck in the traffic jam when she passed Central Avenue on the other side.

Sonya said:: “It’s scary to think what could have happened if this was a serious incident."

The ambulance service confirmed paramedics had been sent out to Ashlyns Road, Frinton, at about 3.30pm on Sunday after a man collapsed at home.

A spokesman said: “Because of a rail crossing closure, our crews did experience a slight delay. Our first response car arrived at the scene within 20 minutes.”

The man, in his 60s, was taken to Colchester General Hospital for treatment to a head injury that was not life-threatening.