As work on the Cambridgeshire re-signalling project continues, Meldreth Level Crossing is the next crossing to be upgraded as part of the project.

The level crossing will close for 19 days, including over the Christmas period, for the work to be carried out.

Preparatory work has already been carried out, and work on upgrades will start on Christmas Eve. From 07:00 on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, the Level Crossing will be closed to all road transport and pedestrians, with the level crossing set to reopen at 19:00 on Monday, 12th January 2026.

A diversionary route will be in place to assist local motorists travelling between Meldreth and Shepreth. Motorists making longer journeys are encouraged to use the A10 during the 19-day closure.

While the crossing is closed, safety improvements will also be made to the crossing itself, similar to those already in use at Shepreth on Station Road.

With a rise in rail and road usage in the area expected in the coming years, Network Rail is to replace the existing automatic half-barrier with a full-width manually controlled barrier. The level crossing will also receive new road signs and warning signals, including lights and audible sounds.

This crossing will also be operated using CCTV cameras, which will be fitted, and the gates will be controlled remotely by a signaller.

Since 2009, over £200 million has been spent on level crossings to ensure they are as safe as possible for all forms of transport that use them. Network Rail takes Level crossing safety very seriously. Where possible, they consider replacing level crossings with bridges, which has been done in other parts of the country.

However, the local geography around a level crossing means it is not always possible to build a bridge, so the level crossing remains and receives an upgrade with state-of-the-art technology to increase its safety, as will be the case at Meldreth.

Once the crossing reopens in mid-January, users of the crossing will need to be prepared to stop at any point, make sure they understand the warning lights and sounds, and stop if it’s safe to do so.

Once the train has passed, make sure the barriers are fully raised, and the lights and sounds have stopped and check both ways along the railway lines before continuing with journeys.