This 56-year-old picture captures the scene prior to an improvements in safety being made at a well-known level crossing in Watford.

The Watford Observer is delighted to share photos from the Watford Museum archive and this week we remember the wooden level crossing gates in Bushey Mill Lane.

The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "Today, the style of automatic level crossing barrier that is used to halt traffic on Bushey Mill Lane and allow the Abbey Flyer train from Watford Junction to St Albans to pass, began operating in December 1966.

Watford Observer: How the gates looked after the automatic barriers were installedHow the gates looked after the automatic barriers were installed

"Prior to this were wooden gates which needed to be operated manually. I would think that when this branch line first opened there would not have been any barriers at all.

"This view looks towards St Albans and was taken in the year that alterations took place."

Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.