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Network Rail have warned residents to use a Lincoln city centre level rail crossing safely after a cyclist went over his handle bars when the barrier went down.

Tom Ayre, from Lincoln, got bruised and bloody knuckles when he misjudged the time it would take for the barriers to lower on the Brayford Wharf East crossing as a train was about to pass through.

The incident happened on Tuesday, June 18, at about 3pm - and he went flying after applying his brakes just outside the offices for Lincolnshire Live.

Tom said: "The barriers were coming down so I decided to shoot over there quick.

"I thought I would just go straight through but the barrier started to come down and I ended up going over my handlebars.

(Image: Lincolnshire Live)

"I think the barrier came down too quick though - there was hardly any time, that's the problem with these things... but I'm not going over the bridge."

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Level crossings are fitted with barriers in order to protect the safety of pedestrians and motorists as well as those travelling on trains.

"We cannot stress enough how important it is to use level crossings correctly and safely.

"People should only enter the crossing if the exit is clear and not if the warning sounds have begun.”

(Image: Lincolnshire Live)

According to online advice from the operator, pedestrians and cyclists "must stop as soon as the warning lights come on, whether they are amber or red and not cross until the lights stop flashing - there may be more than one train."

The pedestrian bridge opened up on site on May 14, however Tom said he did not want to use it because the barrier would come up again by the time he walked back.

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