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Monday 1 Dec 2025

Meldreth Road level crossing work planned for Christmas

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Rail engineers are planning to upgrade the safety features of the level crossing on Meldreth Road, Cambridgeshire, as part of the wider re-signalling project over Christmas.

Level crossing safety remains one of Network Rail's key priorities as the safest level crossing is a closed one. But closing level crossings isn’t always a realistic option for the communities they serve which is why there has been over £200 million invested nationally to improve the safety of level crossings since 2009. 

The level crossing at Meldreth Road in Cambridgeshire has one of the highest risk profiles in the region, and with the potential for increased rail and road traffic, Network Rail will be upgrading this crossing over Christmas, to future proof the safety of all crossing users for the next 30 years. 

The existing crossing is an automatic half barrier (AHB) system that operates independently from the main signalling system. While this system has operated well for many years, both the road and the railway are getting busier which increases the risk to all users. If we can't close a crossing, we look to use innovative technology to upgrade crossings and reduce the risks they present.

In December 2025, engineers will be converting Meldreth Road level crossing to a manually controlled barrier with CCTV (MCB-CCTV). This type of crossing uses full barriers that are connected to the main signalling system and are operated remotely by a signaller using CCTV cameras.

Full width barriers are designed to deter motorists from driving around them when they lower for trains to pass. A signaller checks the crossing is clear and manually lowers the barriers before allowing a train to pass safely. The system includes road signals, telephones, and often an audible warning to alert road users.

Temporary closure of Meldreth Road level crossing

Early enabling work has already been taking place at the crossing to prepare the installation of the new barrier equipment over Christmas. To allow this work to happen, the crossing will need to be closed to traffic for the safety of all road users from 07:00 on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and reopening 19:00 on Monday 12 January 2026. 

While the level crossing is closed, a road diversion route will be put in place to help road users navigate around the crossing closure between Meldreth and Shepreth. Road users will be encouraged to use the A10 while Meldreth Road crossing is closed. 

Information for crossing users

Once the work has been completed, the new safety features will mean that barriers are down for longer periods of time, similar to the nearby crossing at Shepreth on Station Road. Network Rail's level crossing safety leaflet is available to download by clicking here

At this type of crossing, road users should: 

• Be prepared to stop at the crossing
• Understand the warnings (lights, barriers, alarms)
• If the warnings activate, stop - unless it’s unsafe to do so
• Remain stationary until all the warnings stop and the barriers have fully lifted
• Check that the exit is clear before driving/riding across
• Pedestrians should stop, look and listen before crossing any level crossing

Emily Heria, Senior Sponsor for Network Rail Anglia said: "This December we're delivering a key part of the Cambridge re-signalling programme by upgrading the level crossing on Meldreth Road to keep all users safe for years to come.

"We understand that the road is an important connection between Meldreth, Shepreth and Cambridge, and closing the road to allow the crossing to be upgraded will cause some local disruption for road users for which I am sorry.

"We've worked hard with the local highways authority to keep the impact of the road closure to a minimum with a simple and short diversion route for drivers."