The scene after the accident in Station Road, Weston Rhyn, near Oswestry

Network Rail bosses say they are “fully confident” a Shropshire level crossing which was the scene of a crash between a train and a tractor is safe.

Farmer Steven Butler suffered cuts and bruises after the tractor and trailer he was driving collided with a train, which was travelling at 60mph at the crossing at Weston Rhyn near Oswestry.

Mr Butler, 25, of Pentre Aaron Farm, Weston Rhyn, was cleared by a jury at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday of dangerous driving and an alternative charge of careless driving, following the incident on July 19 last year.

During the trial, the farmer and several other witnesses raised safety concerns about the crossing. However, Network Rail say the crossing is safe and they have never received any complaints.

Rachel Blackman, Network Rail spokeswoman, said: “We are fully confident that the level crossing was in full working order at the time of the incident.

“The crossing has an in depth inspection every 12 months and all of its functions are tested every 13 weeks. Following the incident the crossing all aspect of the crossing was fully tested and all found to be in working order.

“Level crossings such as this are completely safe if used correctly. We have not had any reports of any problems with this crossing. We always act up on concerns.”

Mr Butler, giving evidence in his own defence, said that he was used to the level crossing but that day he did not see amber lights or red flashing lights and heard no alarm.

During the trial the defence called a number of witnesses who described the level crossing as troublesome and claimed that they had suffered near misses while travelling over it.

Mr Butler’s father Jim told the jury on one occasion he had approached the crossing and the orange light came on, followed by red lights and then barrier started to descend with no time lapse.

Civil engineer David John Evans told how he drove through it once when he heard a bell, there were no flashing lights, he drove through it quickly and saw the barriers come down behind him.

On another occasion he was about to cross when the lights flashed, the barriers came down almost immediately, and if he had gone ahead he would never have made it.

Farmer Richard Roberts told how he once was about to slowly cross the track when the lights flashed, the barriers came down and the train shot passed very quickly.