Published: Friday, 3rd July, 2009 1:00pm

Fire disrupts train signalling

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A RAILWAY level crossing in Datchet stopped working after a fire destroyed signalling equipment.

The level crossing in Datchet jammed last night (Thursday) at about 5.30pm when both barriers were up and the lights were flashing, meaning that no trains were going through.

A Network Rail spokesman said a fire by the side of the railway 200 yards from Feltham station completely destroyed three cabinets containing equipment used to control signalling and other communications systems.

Services from London Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside were among those cancelled or delayed.

The Network Rail spokesman said: 'The loss of this equipment prevented us from running any trains through the area. Network Rail engineers worked through the night to restore the systems required to run trains safely.

"It is believed that the sun and high temperature yesterday caused dry grass on the banking to catch fire, which spread to the equipment cabinets. The fire was not caused by a technical problem and British Transport Police are treating it as non-suspicious.'

Thames Valley Police closed High Street with the Avenue junction and Queens Road to Datchet until 6.40pm as a precuation, resulting in traffic tailbacks.