A double-decker bus smashed through this level crossing in Canterbury today

by Alex Claridge

Train services ground to a halt in east Kent this morning after a bus ploughed through a level crossing in Canterbury.

The double-decker ripped the barriers off their fixtures and forced traffic to stop on both sides of St Dunstan's Street.

Kent Police were called to the scene by the driver of the Stagecoach Unibus at 9.25am.

It is thought the bus might have been trying to go across the railway lines as the barriers were coming down.

Stagecoach Unibus after hitting a level crossing in Canterbury

The bus, whose route runs between the University of Kent and the city centre, was travelling towards the Westgate Towers from Whitstable Hill.

Chris Pragnell, 38, of Orchard Street, said: "It was chaos."

Southeastern trains between Ashford International and Ramsgate had been cancelled or delayed this morning.

Lines were re-opened by about 10am and replacement buses were stood down, however some delays remain.

Network Rail spokesman Jon Crampton said: "The barrier at the level crossing was struck by a bus at 9.20am causing some disruption to services.

"We have sent our engineers to repair the barriers and they will be there until the crossing is fully repaired.

"Trains started running again at 9.50am. There will be minor disruptions while this work is being carried out and we will aim to finish the repairs as soon as possible."

No one was injured as a result of the crash.