DRIVERS are causing train delays by ignoring level-crossing signalmen.

Temporary traffic lights are to be put up at the crossing in Bridge Street in Ramsbottom town centre, while the East Lancashire Railway waits for approval for crossing lights - so-called "wig-wag" signals.

At present, there are no traffic lights at the crossing, and signalmen rely on drivers' courtesy to allow them to stop the traffic and close the gates across the road.

But resurfacing work has meant drivers are coming through much faster, and more are ignoring the signalmen.

East Lancashire Railway chairman Peter Duncan said: "One of the side effects of improving the road surface at the crossing is that the speed of traffic has shot up.

"Now people speed through the crossing nose-to-tail and only about one in 100 have the courtesy to stop when they see the signal men wanting to close the gates.

"We have to take action to improve matters. It is against the law to ignore wig-wag lights.

"I'm confident this is the step we need to improve the crossing.

"It will allow us to retain the heritage look with the wooden gates while also controlling the traffic."

It is hoped that the new permanent lights will be in place within the next six months.

Ramsbottom councillor Diana Ashworth said: "The road is now much improved - people had been complaining about vibrations in their cars because it was in such a bad state.

"It does seem to have made the situation worse, though, with cars maybe not slowing down as much for the crossing.

"Hopefully the new lights will rectify the problem."