VEHICLES were stranded in floodwater near a busy level crossing amid “chaos” which saw council contractors refuse to close the road after declaring it passable.

Balfour Beatty displayed warning signs at the approach to the crossing on Haywood Lane in Wellington last Friday evening but didn’t close the gates which would have stopped cars crossing the live track and getting stuck in the water on the other side.

Instead, about eight vehicles became stranded with reports suggesting a tractor was temporarily stationary on the track - the main route between Cardiff and Manchester, which was unaffected by the adverse weather.

Balfour Beatty says it did not close the road until Saturday afternoon as it thought the road was “passable with care” the day before.

“It was chaos really,” said ward member Councillor Kema Guthrie, who before Christmas led calls for the gates to be locked in times of flood.

She said a recent meeting with Herefordshire Council leader Tony Johnson and the Highways Agency, among others, put her mind at rest, until last week’s drama unfolded.

“We came to an agreement that when the road floods Balfour Beatty would close the gates,” she said.

“That process did not appear to take place. People were still thinking they could get through, and ended up getting stuck.”

She said she assumed Balfour Beatty would close the road when they arrived on site about 9.15pm.

“There must have been about eight or more cars breaking down,” added Cllr Guthrie.

“I heard reports of a tractor parking on the level crossing.

“If the road had been closed on the Friday, then all this could have been avoided.”

At a meeting of full council before Christmas, councillors backed a move led by Cllr Guthrie to ensure the gates are locked during an emergency.

“I was amazed that Balfour Beatty did not carry out their instruction,” said Cllr Bridges.

“If a train had come we would have been in trouble. Hopefully lessons have been learned.”

At the meeting before Christmas, Cllr Bridges said without the gates there was “a risk of life to rail users, road users and those living nearby”.

Balfour Beatty has apologised to residents and motorists caught up in the flooding.