Network Rail, on behalf of Greater Anglia, has started work to install red light safety enforcement (RLSE) cameras at 13 level crossings across Anglia.
Like speed cameras, RLSE cameras can identify vehicles that fail to stop at level crossings when the road traffic lights are flashing red and capture this evidence to support legal action.
Offenders are automatically notified of their offence and depending on the severity of the offence different levels of enforcement are applied. This could be a driver’s awareness course, £100 fine and 3 points on their licence, or a prosecution case may be pursued.
Motorists are once again being reminded that jumping the lights at level crossings can have catastrophic consequences and they not only risk their own lives, but also those of train drivers and their passengers.
The cameras will be installed at the following level crossings across the region:
Norfolk
Burston – Station Road, IP22 5UB
Moulton – High Green, NR15 2JA
Mellis – Mellis Road, IP23 8DW
Swainsthorpe – Church Road, NR14 8PW
Tivetshall – Station Road (B1134), NR15 2EB
Suffolk
Haughley – Station Road, IP14 3QP
Stowmarket – Stowupland Road, IP14 5AS
Palgrave – Crossing Road, IP22 1AU
Bentley – Station Road, IP9 2DB
Baylham – Mill Lane, IP6 8JW
Essex
Manningtree (Tendring) – The Causeway (A137), CO11 2LH
Church St (Braintree) – Church Street, CO5 9AL
Cambridge
Duxford – Hinxton Road, CB10 1RB
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.”
As an extra deterrent, signs will be installed to warn motorists they could be caught on camera.
The cameras are part of a wider investment to improve level crossing safety across the increasingly busy rail network.
This work is being funded by Greater Anglia to allow more services to potentially run in future.
Photo credit: Network Rail
