A COUNCIL chief has called for a safety review of the level crossing where an 85-year-old grandmother drove on to the railway tracks.

Police are still deciding whether to arrest the pensioner for dangerous driving after she turned onto the tracks at Brockenhurst and drove her Renault Clio 80 yards along the railway line.

But after the Daily Echo revealed to Hampshire County Council leader Ken Thornber that it has happened at the same spot before, he said he will be asking highways workers to check if safety measures can be put in place.

“It was shocking,” he said.

“There should be a look at what the authorities can do.”

On September 27, 1997, the Daily Echo reported how a woman was saved from her car by the driver of a passing breakdown truck after she drove on to the tracks in exactly the same spot.

Cllr Thornber, who represents Brockenhurst as a county councillor, wants to see if others can be prevented from making the same mistake.

Transport police believe the woman was taking her 20-year-old grandson to the station when she took a wrong turn and drove along the line towards the platform.

The car had to be removed by a crane after the shaken-up pair were rescued and checked by paramedics.

A Network Rail spokesman said there are no plans for them to take any action at the crossing.

Police investigating the incident on Thursday could instruct the DVLA to suspend and review the driver’s licence with the potential it could be revoked.

A spokesman said officers would speak to the woman before deciding whether to take action against her for dangerous driving.