WORKS that closed a Colchester level crossing for four days were expected to finish on schedule.

The Eastgates rail crossing was shut to both traffic and pedestrians from 11pm on Friday to 6am today, with diversion routes in place, as contractors replaced the track.

The closure caused major traffic hold-ups as the town got back to work after the bank holiday yesterday, while residents living near the Clarendon pub in Harwich Road were prevented from using the parking spaces behind their homes on Sunday and Monday.

Clark Campbell, of plumbing supplier CC Discount Heating, which is based next to the junction, said workmen had been helpful in allowing access to the company's car park during business hours.

He added: "It was generally well-handled, but we couldn't understand why the gates had to stay down today, as the trains were running and there didn't seem to be any work going on."

Peter Kay, of Colchester Bus Users' Support Group (C-Bus), said he believed Network Rail was too quick to seek road closures.

"Until ten years ago they would have just cracked on with it overnight, but the health and safety brigade now demand all these closures," he said.

"It has a knock-on effect, and the traffic today was backed up from East Street into Brook Street and as far as St Botolph's."

A Network Rail spokesman said the works had progressed "according to schedule".

He added the track replacement was part of the firm's £92 million upgrade of the rail infrastructure along the Colchester to Clacton line, which includes the complete renewal of the signal system and platform extensions at Clacton and Hythe stations to accommodate longer trains.