AN MP is calling for answers over traffic hold-ups at a level crossing.

Traders, including newsagent Chitranjan Patel, are convinced train barriers are being kept down for longer at the Eastgates crossing, in Colchester, since the signal box at the site was shut as part of an upgrade.

But Network Rail insists the shift to remotely operating the crossing has had no effect on timings.

Lib Dem Bob Russell is now calling on bosses to look again at the problem after he was contacted by several frustrated residents and stores.

He said: “Network Rail is adamant there has been no change with the length of time the crossing is down, yet people like Mr Patel, who have run businesses here for years, are disagreeing.

“I’m told the barriers are coming down as soon as trains pull out of North Station, whereas previously the operator would have waited until they were on the approach to Eastgates.

“I think it needs to be looked at closely.

“For every additional second the crossing is down, the tailbacks get longer.

“It quickly gets to the point where the roads are blocked as far as East Hill and Brook Street.”

Mr Patel, who runs News Plus, has complained the delays at the crossing are damaging trade as motorists in the know are avoiding the road.

He says drivers become impatient as the barriers regularly stay down to let two trains at a time come through.

Razors barbershop, next door, has also reported problems. The two shops have been monitoring the time the barriers are down. The record so far is 15 minutes.

Mr Russell said: “It may be that I have to make a freedom of information request to Network Rail to find out exactly what the timings are.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “The branch line from Colchester to Clacton and Walton-on-the-Naze is now controlled completely from the newly extended and modernised signal box at Colchester, where Network Rail signallers control the movement of trains and operate level crossings using state-of-the-art technology.

“The timings of the barriers at Eastgates crossing have not changed.”