Along the Felixstowe branch line, four-level crossings have successfully been upgraded to make crossing the railway safer for all in the Suffolk area.
After seven weeks of work, roads have now reopened to traffic at Westerfield. This marks the completion of level crossing upgrades at Morston Hall, Thorpe Lane, Levington and Westerfield.
The upgrades were part of a wider programme to increase capacity on the Felixstowe branch line as well as increasing safety of the crossings.
The completion of the upgrade work at Westerfield and Thorpe Lane comes just a few months after drivers were caught misusing these level crossings by not stopping for the red warning light and barriers.
A driver was caught driving through a red light live on camera at Westerfield back in October 2018 as a journalist was reporting on Network Rail's safety campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of misusing level crossings.
The driver was caught and then was ordered to undertake an awareness course.
Earlier this month, another driver was convicted for recklessly putting both himself and his 18-month old daughter at the time of the incident in danger by going around the barriers at Trimley St Martin in Suffolk.
They both miraculously survived a crash with a freight train in June 2018.
He admitted endangering safety and was jailed for 16 months and suspended for a year. As well as this he was also given 240 hours of community service and a two-year driving ban.
Drivers are constantly reminded that anyone caught failing to comply with signs up at level crossings can face a fine of up to £1,000 and 3 points on their license. If they are found guilty of careless driving, they face a fine of up to £1000 and 9 points on their license.
If convicted of dangerous driving, the maximum penalty is two years in prison and a fine.
The upgrade on the four crossings included changing the barriers from half barriers to full ones, three of the four have obstacle detection systems and the remaining one has CCTV.
The new modern level crossings provide additional safety for all wishing to cross the railway, for both motorist and pedestrian as well as everyone who uses the railway in the area.
The crossing upgrades are needed to improve safety as the frequency of freight trains using the branch line to and from the Port of Felixstowe is set to increase following the successful construction of new track and signalling systems.
What did the officials have to say?
Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail's route managing director for Anglia, said:
“The completion of this vital work will provide a better and safer branch line for passengers and those using the crossings in Suffolk and we thank everyone for their patience while the work has been carried out.
“Given the recent incidents at these crossings over the last year, it's so important that all drivers pay attention to the dangers of using any level crossing and ensure that they get to their destination safely.
“It is not worth the risk to ignore the red lights and barriers which are there for your safety and all other road users as the consequences could be life changing.”
Stephen Webster, Inspector, British Transport Police (BTP), said:
“It's really pleasing to see that Network Rail have made significant investment in these level crossings in order to improve safety for users. Level crossings when used correctly are perfectly safe, unfortunately though some people choose to take risks and compromise their safety on crossings.
“British Transport Police employ a variety of tactics to ensure that people are safe when using level crossings. This includes patrols by uniformed officers, mobile safety enforcement vehicles and working with Network Rail to identify offenders following misuse. The technology on these crossings assists us in detecting offences and offenders and we will continue this activity to ensure compliance now that the crossings have re-opened.
“The message from BTP is simple. Please use level crossings safely and don't take risks. We take misuse seriously and will deal robustly with offenders.”
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Network Rail have done a wonderful job on upgrading the Felixstowe branch line and the East Suffolk line in East Anglia. But they could of done lot more upgrades such as the section of single track on the East Suffolk line between Westerfield and Lowestoft with some stations including-Melton, Wickham Market and Oulton Broad South to have a new extra platform being built (as well upgrading the existing platform) as part of the upgrade to the East Suffolk Line to become a fully operational double track branch line in Suffolk. With extra trains operating between Ipswich and Lowestoft. Which would improve better services in East Suffolk.
And also to double track the Felixstowe branch line with Trimley station also to be upgraded with new track and new platform as part of the double track upgrade on the Felixstowe branch line. Instead of passing loops in different locations on those lines in East Suffolk.
Plus why not add a new spur line from Haddiscoe on the Wherry Lines (Lowestoft branch) to Great Yarmouth either single track or double track with the introduction of the Great Yarmouth-Lowestoft shuttle service.