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Thursday 22 Oct 2026

Safety boost as two Essex level crossings upgraded

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

GBR Anglia has finished installing red and green lights on two level crossings, along with audible warnings, to help pedestrians in Essex get to their destinations safely.

Previously, there were no active warning systems at the locations, with users relying only on stopping, looking and listening to check for approaching trains. The two crossings are:

• Spring Lane, on the Greater Anglia line between Hythe and Wivenhoe stations
• Woodgrange Close, on the c2c line between Southend East and Thorpe Bay stations

Across the wider Anglia region, red and green lights with audible warnings have been installed at 56 level crossings since 2018, with a further five set to be upgraded by the end of March 2027. The system works by detecting an approaching train before it reaches the crossing, and then automatically activating red lights and an audible warning to tell pedestrians not to cross.

Of the 56 upgraded level crossings, 18 previously required users to contact the signaller using a nearby phone to check if it was safe to cross. After the installation of the red and green lights, users no longer need to contact the signalbox routinely, minimising risk, reducing wait times and helping signallers focus on keeping the rest of the railway running safely and reliably.

While fitting the new safety systems, engineers have also been taking the chance to improve other aspects of crossings, including installing new gates, fencing and crossing decks. All the most recent crossings also have CCTV installed as part of the job.

Shenel Bullock, Head of Level Crossing Safety working as part of GBR Anglia, said: “Level crossings can be dangerous if not used correctly so we work to reduce the potential for things to go wrong wherever we can. The new red and green lights give pedestrians a clear message about when it is safe to cross. Although people still need to follow the instructions and cross with care, these upgrades provide an extra layer of protection to help keep everyone moving safely.”

Earlier in 2026, Network Rail, British Transport Police, c2c, Greater Anglia and train operators across the country joined forces to launch the first ever industry-wide safety campaign to raise awareness of the dangers around level crossings – called No Second Chances. At the time of the launch, incidents involving the incorrect use of Anglia's level crossings had increased by more than 20% in a year.

Aimed primarily at young adults, the No Second Chances campaign focuses on the deadly consequences of distraction at level crossings through a series of uncompromising 20 second films. Read more

GBR Anglia brings c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia together under a single unified structure on the journey to Great British Railways. The three organisations are increasingly planning and delivering as one railway, enabling faster and more joined up decision-making.