In 2010, Network rail embarked on a landmark level crossing risk reduction programme.

The objective of the programme is to close and upgrade crossings across the network, which will improve safety for everyone and reduce the risk that level crossings present to the national rail network.

As part of this, Network Rail Anglia has developed proposals to better manage the risk at 104 level crossings across the counties of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex, Havering, Hertfordshire, Southend and Thurrock.

Following two rounds of public consultation in 2016, three Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) applications were submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport, to close or modify 104 level crossings. 

The TWAO applications are grouped by county as follows:

1. The county of Suffolk (The Suffolk Level Crossing Reduction Order);
2. The county of Cambridgeshire (The Cambridgeshire Level Crossing Reduction Order);
3. The county of Essex, the county of Hertfordshire, the unitary authorities of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea and the London Borough of Havering (The Essex and Others Level Crossing Reduction Order).

Decisions so far…

The Secretary of State granted the powers on 29 October 2020 to close or modify 16 level crossings across Cambridgeshire. Shortly afterward on 26 November 2020, we received the powers to close or modify nine level crossings across Suffolk.

You can find out which level crossing will be affected and read the reports by following these links:

• Cambridge level crossings
• Suffolk level crossings

Proposals for Essex, Havering, Hertfordshire, Southend and Essex TWAO

We are currently awaiting a decision for those level crossings included in the TWAO application located in Essex, Havering, Hertfordshire, Southend and Essex. The table below shows which level crossings are part of this application.

Consent for the work and next steps

Before we start work on new alternative routes for those level crossings included in the Secretary of State’s desicion, we will work with landowners and local County Councils to agree the final steps in the design process.

Further Information

Find out more about how Network Rail manages level crossings across the country by visiting our Level Crossing Safety webpage.

Find out more about the important of reducing risk at level crossings.

Find out about the Transport and Works Act Order Process for Anglia Level Crossing Proposals. There's a brief guide on Transport and Works Act orders on the Gov.uk.

Contact us

Please visit our Contact us page or call our national helpline on 03457 11 41 41. You can also follow us on Twitter @networkrailANG

If a level crossing or any part of the railway is causing a problem or you want more information, please visit our Contact us page or call our national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

If you see anyone deliberately misusing a crossing, please call the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or the Police on 999.