A broken component on signalling equipment was the cause major problems at a Bicester rail crossing, closing it to traffic for more than 14 hours yesterday.

Network Rail said a component failed and caused the barrier, in London Road, to remain in a down position.

Barriers are designed to move into down position if there is a technical problem.

The barrier closed at 12.30pm yesterday causing traffic problems in and around the London Road area. It re-opened at 3am.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “The fault was not immediately obvious and so a team of engineers had to begin an investigation to establish its cause.

“The results of this showed that a component of the signalling system had failed, which was replaced, and the crossing reopened at 3am this morning.

“We apologise to the public for the inconvenience and disruption caused.”