Travel · Rail, Channel & ferries · 23 October 2026
Red and green lights installed at two Essex level crossings
GBR Anglia has completed the installation of red and green lights with audible warnings at Spring Lane and Woodgrange Close in Essex, Network Rail announced. The new systems activate automatically when a train approaches, removing the need for users to contact a signaller at 18 crossings.
Network Rail announced that GBR Anglia has finished installing red and green lights with audible warnings at two level crossings in Essex. The upgrades were carried out at Spring Lane and Woodgrange Close. The new system automatically activates red lights and an audible warning when a train is detected approaching the crossing.
These installations are part of a wider programme that has seen 56 level crossings upgraded since 2018. Under the plans, further upgrades are scheduled to be completed by March 2027. Shenel Bullock, Head of Level Crossing Safety working as part of GBR Anglia, said: "The new red and green lights give pedestrians a clear message about when it is safe to cross."
Users at the 18 crossings that previously required calling a signaller no longer need to do so routinely. Engineers also installed new gates, fencing, crossing decks, and CCTV at the most recent sites. The announcement notes a 20% increase in incidents involving incorrect use of level crossings, a trend that has prompted renewed focus on safety measures.
An industry-wide safety campaign called No Second Chances was launched in early 2026. The campaign targets young adults and uses 20 second films to highlight the dangers of distraction at level crossings. These upgrades provide an extra layer of protection to help keep everyone moving safely.
Written by StreetOwl from Network Rail’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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