A family had a lucky escape on Saturday when their car, carrying four young children, slid across the Ulgham Grange railway crossing just minutes ahead of an oncoming train.

Euan Spencer, who was driving the vehicle, places the blame firmly on the icy, untreated road and British Transport Police agreed that the accident was the result of adverse weather.

Residents say they have campaigned for years to get the route included on Northumberland County Council's gritting rounds.

And they believe the recent accident makes it even more of a priority.

Gabrielle Patterson, who lives next to the crossing, said: "I'm absolutely sick. I have been onto the council for years about this.

"This is a C-road so it is not gritted, but it is quite a busy C-road.

"Residents in Widdrington Station, Ulgham and Longhirst use it as a rat-run to the Spine Road and Ashington so it is quite a busy little road.

"I do appreciate that there is not enough grit for everywhere, but you can get a really quiet B-road and a really busy C-road with a railway across it. The council should use a bit of intelligence about which is the priority.

"When it is icy all we hear are cars sliding down the road and trying to stop. This accident was only one of so many near misses.

"Luckily the car got through this time before the train came, but it could have been terrible. This is the East Coast Main Line and trains are going at over 120mph.

"The Government is spending millions of pounds on safety around level crossings, but the council won't even put a bit of grit down.

"I have lived here for about 18 years and I love it. The trains don't bother us at all, but we do worry about the attitude of the council to the crossing.

"There is a phrase 'somebody will need to die first' and it is true.