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Tuesday 12 May 2026

Safer level crossings in Suffolk

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Level crossings on the East Suffolk line are being upgraded with new crossing technology that will make them safer for all road users, walkers and farmers ahead of the expected increase in rail freight for Sizewell C.

The upgrade work is taking place as part of the wider Sizewell Rail Programme to renew and upgrade infrastructure on the East Suffolk line to support the construction of the new power station which aims to deliver 60% of all construction materials by rail and sea.

A number of level crossings are being upgraded with additional safety features to manage the risk of more trains using the line in the coming years. Upgrades range from installing new safety equipment such as miniature stop lights (which indicate to pedestrians when it is safe to cross), red light enforcement cameras, improved train detection signalling technology, and complete crossing upgrade including full barriers, lights, and alarms.  

Crossing safety upgrades are already underway along the line with the following crossings having been made safer:

• Middleton crossing - installed with red light enforcement cameras in March 2026.
• Ellingers crossing - installed with miniature stop lights in January 2026.
• Dock Lane, Melton Sewage and Brick Kiln crossings - installed with miniature stop lights in March 2026.
• Redhouse Farm and Blackstock crossings installed with miniature stop lights in April 2026.

The Uffold (private user worked) crossing near the River Deben was closed in October 2025 removing the risk altogether.

Crossing upgrade work is planned at Melton and Bealings level crossings during a nine-day closure of the East Suffolk line at the end of May 2026 which will help support safer level crossings in Suffolk.

Melton level crossing 

Train detection technology will be installed at Melton station level crossing on the A1152 to make the operation of the crossing safer and more reliable for all crossing users. This will require temporary overnight closures to road traffic at the following dates/times:

• From 2200 on Sat 23 May until 0800 the next morning
• From 2200 on Sun 24 May until 0700 the next morning
• From 2100 on Sat 30 May until 0800 the next morning
• From 2100 on Sun 31 May until 0700 the next morning

During the closures, there will be no vehicular or pedestrian access across the railway. We're making arrangements with the local highways authority for a signed diversion route while Melton crossing is closed, via the crossing at Campsea Ashe that is suitable for all road vehicles. 

Bealings level crossing work

Users of Bealings level crossing near Little Bealings, will benefit from new miniature stop lights at the pedestrian gates which will help those using the footpath to know when it is safe to cross the railway. This work will be completed during the nine-day period while trains are not running on the following dates/times:

• On Saturday 14 March from 0800 to 1700 
• On Sunday 15 March from 08:00 to 17:00

During these times, access across Bealings crossing will be controlled to maintain safety. Vehicles and pedestrians may have to allow extra time to complete their journey.  

Martin Beable, on behalf of Network Rail and Greater Anglia said: "The investment to improve the East Suffolk line and its level crossings is helping to provide a safer railway for Suffolk road users and pedestrians in readiness for Sizewell C's main construction phase. 

"Closing the railway for an extended period does allow us to do much more work than if we kept to just weekends and nights, and we're using this time to do as much as we can including making crossings safer for everyone. 

"Of course this doesn't come without causing some disruption for our customers and I want to thank everyone for their patience while we make these improvements."