East Riding of Yorkshire councillor John Wilkinson, chairman of the environment and transport overview scrutiny committee, said: "This is an accident waiting to happen.

"Most motorists are intelligent and responsible enough to realise the dangers involved.

"The huge numbers of drivers prosecuted must mean something is seriously wrong.

"My main concern is safety. Sooner or later a lorry or long vehicle is going to try to stop and end up on the crossing itself.

"Someone is going to get killed here."

British Transport Police insist the crossing timings are in accordance with standards and that violation cameras are there to educate and deter people from taking unnecessary risks.

But Coun Wilkinson said he was also worried that responsible drivers are made to feel like criminals.

"In my professional opinion, as a chartered civil engineer, there are sufficient inconsistencies at this crossing to make any subsequent prosecution unsafe," he said.

After receiving a 60-name petition from local people who had fallen foul of the crossing, or knew someone who had, Coun Wilkinson's committee met officials from Network Rail and British Transport Police, who administer the crossing on its behalf.

The committee wanted an investigation but the rail authorities made it clear nothing but bad driving was the problem.

They said the crossing and its timings were exactly the same as others on the line, complied with Government standards and could not be altered.

"I do not accept that. I do not believe in one size fits all situations. No-one will accept there is a problem.

"While I am sure there are those who do deliberately jump the lights, I am also sure there are very many who do not," said Coun Wilkinson.

Fellow councillor Jane Evison, who is a former magistrate, said she had done all she could to improve safety by getting more warning signs put up and cutting the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph, but nothing changed. In fact, offences went up.

"I have also had meetings with the rail operators and they are adamant it complies with standards and they will not do anything to alter that crossing.

"I still receive letters from people caught on camera and they all say the same, they could not stop in time," said Coun Evison.

As a magistrate she saw "hundreds" of people in court.

"Some were even defended by solicitors but did not win their cases. Technically, they were guilty.

"The only thing we can do is keep up the pressure," she said.

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