Traffic jams caused by the closed level crossings at Cross Hills and Cononley are being made worse by Railtrack's policies, the Keighley News can reveal.

Barriers at both level crossings are being lowered well in advance of the train approaching, leading to huge tailbacks on the roads.

According to a railway worker, who did not wish to be named, Railtrack has ordered that the barriers are lowered at both crossings just a minute after the trains leave Keighley or Skipton stations.

The worker says: "The barriers can be down for about four or five trains. It needs just a little bit of common sense for the problem to be alleviated."

The new policy has been introduced on the line following recent accidents such as the one at Ladbroke Grove, where a driver passed a signal at red. Train drivers are now to be shown green "go" signals wherever possible to minimise the risk of running red lights.

The Keighley News source says: "They pay these drivers £21,000 a year and you have to do everything you possibly can to make sure they don't pass a signal at red."

He says Railtrack bosses are so concerned with running the railways that they are blatantly ignoring road users.

Councillor Isobel Westhead, chairman of Glusburn Parish Council, says: "I think it's an appalling idea. While I agree that every measure should be taken to improve safety, I think to have the barrier down any longer than it is, is going to be a dreadful situation."

Tony Glover, from North Yorkshire fire and rescue, says: "If there are any arrangements being made to keep the barriers down then we will make our requirements known to Railtrack so they can bear them in mind when making their own arrangements."

Sergeant Steve Scott, of Cross Hills police, says he has not been notified by Railtrack but says he would not be surprised if such a policy had been introduced.

A spokesman from the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service says it has an arrangement with the control centre at Leeds station to open the crossing if an ambulance needs to get through.

A spokesman for Railtrack says: "The lights are coming on to give the drivers a green light because that is the safe way of doing things.

"We have to operate a safe railway and we have regulations and procedures laid down throughout the railway industry, and to operate the trains safely in this area these are things we have to do."