A low-loader carrying a steam locomotive flattened a set of traffic lights in Keighley town centre, shortly after knocking over an antique gate during a normally-routine operation.

An LMS ‘Black Five’ steam engine from the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway was being transported from Ingrow station to Ilford for wheel-turning maintenance. A low-loader from transport company Moveright International was carrying it.

While leaving the station, the low-loader hit one of the antique metal poles at the gates, ripping it out of its foundation in what has been described as an “unfortunate accident.”

Later on the journey, on Thursday morning at 11am, the already unique sight of a steam engine passing through the town centre turned even more unusual when the same vehicle hit a traffic light on the junction of North Street and High Street, knocking it over.

Police who were accompanying the wagon and its “abnormal load” contacted Bradford Council’s highways department, and temporary lights were set up on the busy road.

Railway volunteer Jim Shipley said they maintained a good relationship with the haulage company despite the incident, and believes the damage to the gates will be repairable.

The poles at the entrance are more than 100 years old, and formally stood at the bottom of Cavendish Street before being relocated and restored by the railway.

He said: “It seems the wagon made contact with the gate as it was leaving and ripped one of the posts off.

“Temporary repairs have been done, and the railway is in talks with the company. We are quite happy with these talks, and have been assured repairs will take place. We have a temporary gate in place and it is not a problem.”

He said the damage would not affect this weekend’s Diesel Gala, which lasts until Sunday. Later today the Lord Mayors of Manchester and Bradford will be visiting Ingrow Station and the Bahamas locomotive based there.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “The police informed us of the accident yesterday and our contractors removed the remains of the pole and disconnected the wiring – amazingly the lights still worked.”

He said the lights were being replaced and manually-controlled temporary lights would be in operation for about three hours while work took place.

“We will be claiming for the cost of the work,” the spokesman said.