Cameras are to be installed at 13 level crossings across Anglia. The cameras are to be installed by Network Rail on behalf of Greater Anglia.
The red light safety enforcement (RSLE) cameras are used to identify vehicles that do not stop at the level crossings when the lights are flashing.
Drivers are also being reminded that jumping the lights not only risks their lives but those of passengers on trains and the train crew.
If caught, drivers could be offered an awareness course, 3 points and a £100 fine or a prosecution case could be pursued.
The cameras will be installed in the following locations:
Norfolk
Burston, Moulton, Mellis, Swainsthorpe and Tivetshall
Suffolk
Haughley, Stowmarket, Palgrave, Bentley and Baylham
Essex
Manningtree and Braintree
Cambridge
Duxford
Daniel Fisk, Network Rail Public and Passenger Health and Safety Manager for the Anglia route, said: “Level crossings pose a very real safety risk. These cameras are a proven, cost-effective way to improve safety and encourage motorists not to take unnecessary risks when crossing the railway.
“Knowing that jumping the lights or swerving the barriers at a level crossing will almost certainly result in a prosecution is enough to make most drivers think twice.
“This isn't about money. For us, the perfect scenario is to have everyone cross the railway safely with no penalties issued.”
Matt Wakefield, Head of safety, security and sustainability at Greater Anglia, said: “The work being undertaken will be of benefit to everyone as it will increase the levels of safety around our network.”
Signs will also be installed to warn drivers about the cameras. Greater Anglia are funding the work which could allow more services to run in the future.
Where Next?
RailAdvent Plus
Get image downloads, Prints and Streaming Video
News Homepage
For the Latest Railway News
RailAdvent Online Shop
Railway Prints, DVD's / Blu-Ray's and more
LocoStop – The RailAdvent Community
Come and share your railway pictures
Mainline UK Steam Info
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
Network Rail
Visit their website
Cameras will not of themselves prevent incidents; hopefully they will deter (as evidence suggests?). Prevention would suggest full width barriers which people could neither climb over nor duck under and sufficient ‘run-off’ for a long vehicle to drive off beyond the track.
Of course nothing is foolproof though. Everything should be done however for the wellbeing of train drivers for whom a fatality can be life-changing. Nothing to stop people jumping off platforms or bridges of course. Sad times.
Perhaps new cameras could be installed at level crossings in the Anglia Region that haven’t been mentioned.
What about the level crossings at Kelvedon and Ingatestone. Some of the level crossings in East Anglia do need to be closed and to be replaced by road bridges. And at Grays the pedestrian level crossing needs to be closed and replaced by a pedestrian underpass. To prevent trespassing’s.