It is clearly stupid and selfish for drivers and pedestrians to go through barriers at a level crossing (Gazette, February 10).
However, it should be recognised the temptation to do this is much greater where Network Rail has greatly increased the time during which barriers are closed before trains come.
This is particularly noticeable at East Gates, in Colchester, where the crossing keeper has been removed and the gates are remotely operated.
In the evening rush hour, the closed period is now often seven minutes or more, whereas when the crossing was locally controlled, the gates were opened between trains.
Surely, both to improve safety and to avoid closing off the eastwards exits from the town, East Gates crossing (if not others, too) should be returned to local control.
Ray Cantrell
Guildford Road
Colchester
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