Safety measures at a rail crossing in Chorley have been stepped up following a near fatal accident at the weekend.

Network Rail plan to put wooden cattle grids at the side of Rylands crossing, which links Brock Road to Railway Road, and more signs warning people of the dangers of walking on or near the railway line.

The move comes after a 40-year-old man from Chorley was hit by the Blackpool to Manchester Airport train just before 4pm on Saturday.

The man, who has not been named, suffered serious injuries, and is in a stable condition in Royal Preston Hospital. British Transport Police, are not treating the incident as suspicious.

The crossing has seen a fatality and 23 other incidents in the last three years and the company put up a sign highlighting the potential dangers and the number of incidents at the site in July, 2005.

Keith Lumley, a Network Rail representative, said: "We have decided to put further plans into action because of the incident at the weekend.

"It is vital people realise how dangerous walking on or near a railway line is."

Network Rail said they would like to close the crossing but claim they have been denied planning permission three times by Chorley Borough Council but council chiefs maintain every application has to meet strict criteria under planning legislation.

County Councillor, Don Yates, who covers Chorley East, believes signals should be put in place there.

He said: "It's an option and I will be discussing it with Lancashire County Council."

Chorley MP, Lindsay Hoyle, said a national review of rail crossings should be considered.