A RAIL company responsible for a stretch of track where a train was derailed has defended the existing safety measures.Calls to replace the half-barrier at Six Mile Bottom with a full gate-style control system followed a collision on December 7 between the Anglia Railways train and a car.

A RAIL company responsible for a stretch of track where a train was derailed has defended the existing safety measures in place at the site.

Calls to replace the half-barrier at Six Mile Bottom, near Newmarket, with a full gate-style control system followed a collision on December 7 between the Anglia Railways train and a car on a level crossing.

But a spokesman for Network Rail, responsible for the track, said there were no plans to scrap the existing barrier in favour of any alternative.

"The safe operation of the railway is Network Rail's first priority, without question," said the spokesman. "Level crossings have a 100 per cent safety record when used correctly, and it is only when the green cross code of using level crossings is abused that accidents happen.

"In the incident at Six Mile Bottom, the barriers functioned correctly and an alternative barrier system would not have altered the outcome of the accident."

After completing an investigation, British Transport Police have reported the car driver to the Crown Prosecution Service.