A LEVEL crossing notorious among cyclists is to be replaced just weeks after a veteran rider shattered her elbow.

Irene Melrose, 70, who cycles more than 7,000 miles a year, said the road and crossing should have been realigned years ago.

The crossing at Aiskew takes the heritage line, the Wensleydale Railway, across the main A684 road through Bedale and into the Dales.

Mrs Melrose was on a cycling holiday from her home near Aberdeen when she came off in heavy rain and her wheel became trapped in the rail which is at an angle to the road.

She had to have an operation at James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough cancel her holiday and abandon two other cycling trips while it heals.

She warned: "I think that a campaign to realign the road or the railway would be the best idea, rather than bits of rubber that may not work, and would save on NHS costs.

"Or temporarily, until positive safety measures are taken, to put up a very large lit sign saying "Dangerous Crossing - Cyclists are advised to walk their bikes.”

Mrs Melrose said a better idea would be to build a separate cycle pathway which could run alongside.

The railway has revealed major work is due to start on replacing the crossing on November 15 which will mean closing the main A684 road at Aiskew and through to Bedale for at least five days.

Nigel Park of Wensleydale Railway said: “There are a number of issues for cyclists using this crossing, and the work being carried out is designed to improve the situation significantly." 

He said the new crossing was innovative and new to the UK with a depressable rubber strip which will minimise the risk of cycle wheels slipping into the rail.

He added: "It remains important that cyclists follow the Highway Code and take care on crossings, and in particular take note of the 'Cycle Skid Risk' signs which are sited on both approaches.”