NETWORK Rail has blamed electrical problems for delays in installing new hi-tech automated barriers at a Hampshire level crossing.

Bosses at Network Rail closed the road for ten days so that planned track work and a scheme to install full width barriers at Dean Hill level crossing in East Dean near Romsey could go ahead.

But because of problems the work had to be abandoned.

Officials at Network Rails are now trying to re-programme the work on the Romsey to Salisbury line which includes removing the existing half-barriers and replacing them with full-width ones along with sensors that can detect whether there is anyone or a vehicle is on the crossing when a train is approaching.

While the crossing was out of use motorists were forced to travel long distances to reach neighbouring villages.

Even the Vicar of the Lockerley Benefice which includes East Dean, West and East Tytherley had to travel 17 miles to reach his flock on the other side of the level crossing.

In the end the Revd James Pitkin came up with the novel idea of holding Wednesday evening Communion services at Dean Hill crossing where pedestrians still had access to homes on either side of it.

Mr Pitkin converted his Fiat Panda's parcel shelf into a makeshift altar and parishioners gathered around to worship.

He said that the midweek service is important because not everyone can make it to church on Sundays.

Mr Pitkin said: “The work has to be done but Network Rail has difficulty communicating with the community over when the work is happening.”

He also added that the crossing was closed again overnight on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

East Dean Parish Council chairman Richard Newton said he is worried about further disruption to the village when the new barriers are eventually being installed.

“It was closed for an extremely long time and at times it appeared no one was working on the crossing. This work has inconvenienced a lot of people with the diversions in place and it has added an extra 15 to 20 minutes to their journey,” said Mr Newton.

Work has yet to start on replacing an old continental-style half-barrier level crossing at nearby West Dean with the latest technology.

Network Rail confirmed that once problems are overcome 'obstacle detection' equipment will be installed at Dean Hill crossing and also at West Dean level crossing where full barriers are also planned.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We had to put back commissioning the new gates down to an unforeseen power issue than the gates themselves.

"Once that is resolved we will go ahead. The power issue was simply down to the unforeseen complexity of the power supply needed at the site and the need for a longer period to do the work."

He denied rumours circulating in the area that the proposed new barriers were the wrong size and the work hadn't been done because of this.

“The reason for the level crossing being closed previously was not down to the crossing itself but the huge amount of upgrade work on the railway around it, including improvements to the track and equipment. While that work is going on we have to close the level crossing for safety reasons.”

He added: “When they are commissioned the level crossings will be obstacle detection crossings - which is full barriers but controlled automatically.

"The obstacle detection system will scan the crossing when the closing sequence is started and will put the signals to red if anything is found and stop the sequence.”

He also added that Network Rail currently has no plans to install full-width barriers at other level crossings in the Romsey area.

He said the only reason the crossings at East and West Dean are being replaced is because their life has “expired” and Network Rail is taking the opportunity to increase safety at both crossings.

“The level crossings don't suffer from a great deal of what we would call 'misuse' but the one in West Dean in particular has a high pedestrian use and therefore the full-barrier crossing type is more appropriate,” said the spokesman.