A CONTROVERSIAL Oxfordshire level crossing where a man died in January failed again yesterday.

Network Rail engineers said a circuit track failure was to blame for problems at Sandy Lane crossing near Yarnton.

The barriers failed in the down position at 9.20am.

After two hours of repair work the team left the area at 11.40am.

Sandy Lane was closed in both directions to motorists while the barriers were stuck down, and Network Rail apologised to drivers for the delays.

It is two weeks since Network Rail shut the crossing for 24 hours to carry out repairs.

In January, Banbury man Tom Pizzey, 85, was killed when the car he was travelling inside was hit by a freight train.

Network Rail bosses met residents and local figures last month in an attempt to address growing concern over the safety of the crossing.

An investigation by the Oxford Mail found the level crossing had 21 faults recorded last year.

It was also revealed that the Yarnton Lane level crossing less than half a mile away failed 15 times over the same period.