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Network Rail has warned people not to put their lives in danger using a level crossing near Cheltenham after they had to close it for almost four months.

Bosses have apologised for having to shut down the level crossing and close the road completely, after they had initially planned to carry out repair work on the Brockhampton Lane level crossing over two weekends.

But when they went to inspect the job last week they realised it would take a lot longer than that.

The Brockhampton Lane crossing is part of a back road between Bishop's Cleeve and Swindon Village to the north of Cheltenham, and diversions have been put in place.

The level crossing was closed on Friday as an emergency, and will now remain closed until April 7 next year, as Network Rail engineers carry out essential work on the equipment that controls the crossing barriers.

"The scale of work was originally expected to only result in the level crossing closing over two weekends, however, the most recent inspection has revealed that the condition of the wiring that controls the level crossing barriers has unexpectedly deteriorated," a Network Rail spokesperson explained.