A RUNAWAY hand trolley crashed into a level crossing on the East Lancashire Railway and narrowly avoided causing a road accident, a safety review has heard.

An inquiry by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch was told volunteers from the heritage railway tried to halt the cart, before it careered more than 500 metres down the tracks in Ramsbottom.

But the trolley, which was not fitted with any brakes, smashed into one of the crossing gates on Bridge Street, forcing them into the road, causing a passing motorist to steer around it.

Bosses at the ELR have now been issued with safety advice after the incident, which occurred at around 11.15am on March 15, as volunteers tried to move ballast along the line.

Half a tonne of loose stones were laden on the trolley and the crew had been relying on 'chocks' to act as a parking brake, the inquiry was told.

An RAIB inspector said: " The trolley struck the eastern gate on the north side of the crossing. It derailed and some ballast spilled onto the road.

"The impact damaged the woodwork and the gate mechanism causing the gate to be partially displaced across the road. A passing motorist was forced to alter course to avoid the gate."

Three key recommendations have been made by the agency in the wake of the collision.

The RAIB has asked the Heritage Railway Association to issue guidance on its members using trolleys not fitted with failsafe brakes.

And the ELR itself has been asked to review its working procedures and consider its policies regarding donated equipment.

The inquiry was told East Lancs Railways had since withdrawn all manually-propelled trolleys and replaced them with braked carts.

Extra training has also been given to those undertaking supervisory duties in their works department.