RADICAL solutions to the problems of delays at level crossings are being examined after talks with rail officials.

Proposals to increase the number of passenger services on the East Coast Main Line have prompted fears that existing difficulties in Northallerton - which already sees lengthy traffic queues when the crossings are closed - could be made worse.

Now officials from North Yorkshire County Council and Railtrack are looking at a series of options to ease congestion, including changing the track layout and building a bridge over one crossing.

A county council survey last year found the Low Gates crossing coming into Northallerton from Darlington was closed 45 times in a 12-hour period, from 7am to 7pm.

Traffic queuing to leave the town on the A167 has stretched as far back as the High Street.

Plans to upgrade the main line are expected to mean more freight traffic shunted on to the Northallerton to Ferryhill line, adding to delays.

County environment director Mike Moore said the council's property consultants, Mouchel, had been asked to carry out a preliminary investigation into the possibility of a bridge at the Low Gates crossing. He said changes to the track layout in the Northallerton area could reduce the impact of the upgrade.

Funding for big improvements would need to be supported by the rail operator which wins the East Coast Main Line franchise, with a decision expected in the autumn.

He said in the short-term Railtrack was looking at possible improvements to the way the crossing closures are managed.