Reducing the risk at level crossings across Anglia
We have developed proposals to manage the possible closure or change of use of 104 level crossings in Anglia across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex, Havering, Hertfordshire, Southend and Thurrock.
Update – December 2020
The Secretary of State for Transport has now granted us the powers to close or modify 16 level crossings across Cambridgeshire and nine level crossings across Suffolk. Find out which Cambridgeshire level crossings and which Suffolk level crossings will be impacted.
A decision has not yet been made about, Essex, Havering, Hertfordshire, Southend and Essex.
Page contents
Background information
We believe it's possible to close level crossings:
- with private rights only
- by diverting people to where a nearby alternative exists
- by providing a new public route to a nearby alternative
We will also look to downgrade level crossings to non-motorised users. None of the crossings in this proposal involve closing public A or B roads.
We recognise the importance of public rights of way and where possible we will maintain easy access to the countryside.
Closing or modifying level crossings provide the following benefits:
- improve the safety of level crossing users
- deliver a more efficient and reliable railway, which is vital in supporting the regional and UK economy
- reduce the ongoing operating and maintenance cost of the railway
- reduce delays to trains, pedestrians and other highway users
- improve journey time reliability for all railway, highway and other rights of way users
Closing a level crossing may mean that we need to divert you to where a nearby alternative exists or along a new public route to a nearby alternative. Diversion routes will be shown at any closed crossings.
Our proposals
Using the following link you can review our proposal for the Essex and others Transport and Works Act Order. We have also published a table showcasing which crossings have been included in the Order, and those that have been removed following consultation, and why these cannot be taken forward at this stage. The original consultation documents are also available to view.
Table of level crossings included in the proposals for Essex, Havering, Hertfordshire, Southend and Thurrock
| Location | Post code |
|---|---|
| Old Lane | CM19 5DS |
| Camps | CM19 5DY |
| Parndon Mill | CM20 2HR |
| Fullers End | CM22 6EB |
| Elsenham Emergency Hut | CM22 6JL |
| Ugley Lane | CM22 6JD |
| Henham | CB11 3XP |
| Elephant | CB11 3PE |
| Dixies | CB11 3TP |
| Windmills | CB11 3TT |
| Wallaces | CB11 4JH |
| Littlebury Gate House | CB11 4TG |
| Parsonage Lane/Margaretting | CM4 9JJ |
| Maldon Road | CM4 9JS |
| Boreham | CM3 3HH |
| Noakes | CM3 3HH |
| Potters | CM8 3HR |
| Snivillers | CO5 9AY |
| Hill House 1 | CO5 9EN |
| Great Domsey | CO5 9EP |
| Long Green | CO6 1XP |
| Church 2 | CO3 8NE |
| Barbara Close | SS4 1NQ |
| Brown & Tawse | CM13 3HG |
| Ferry | SS7 1NR |
| Brickyard Farm | SS8 0QT |
| Woodgrange Close | SS1 3EA |
| Motorbike | SS16 4XJ |
| Cranes No. 1 | CM77 8NU |
| Cranes No.2 | CM77 8NU |
| Essex Way | CM77 8PD |
| Battlesbridge | SS11 7RL |
| Padget | CO7 8AJ |
| High Elm | CO7 8AD |
| Great Bentley Station | CO13 0EP |
| Lords No. 1 | CO7 8NX |
| Bluehouse | CO13 0EP |
| Wheatsheaf | CO11 2TQ |
| Maria Street | CO123HU |
| Thornfield Wood | CO6 2AU |
| Golden Square | CO6 2AR |
| Bures | CO8 5DF |
| Abbotts | CO7 7RS |
| Trinity Lane | EN8 7EP |
| Cadmore Lane | EN8 9SA |
| Tednambury | CM23 4BD |
| Pattens | CM23 4AT |
| Gilston | CM23 4AS |
| Johnsons | CM23 2AH |
| Fowlers | CM23 4AS |
| Butts Lane | RM11 3NA |
| Woodhall Crescent | RM11 3ST |
| Manor Farm | RM14 2TZ |
| Eve's | RM14 2XH |
| No 131 | RM19 1SX |
| Jefferies | SS17 8BA |
| Howells Farm | SS17 9EY |
Public consultation
A first round of public consultation events took place in June 2016. A second round of consultation events took place in September/October and December 2016.
Following analysis of all the responses and listening to public and stakeholder concerns and ideas, we have put forward our final proposals to the Secretary of State for Transport to consider.
Consent for the work and next steps
In order to secure the powers necessary to implement the proposals, such as the dedication of public rights of way across private land, extinguishments of existing rights and alteration of rights including downgrading of roads, in March 2017 we submitted three Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAOs) to the Secretary of State for Transport.
The TWAO applications are grouped by county as below.
- The county of Suffolk (The Suffolk Level Crossing Reduction Order);
- The county of Cambridgeshire (The Cambridgeshire Level Crossing Reduction Order);
- 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).
To inform the application, we consulted with the public and relevant statutory bodies. The feedback submitted to us and how Network Rail has taken account of it forms part of a consultation report which supports the, Transport and Works Act Order application.
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 .Gov.uk
Copies of the applications and supporting documents for Essex and others is available to view and download by following the links our proposals section above.
On 29 October 2020, we received a decision granting the powers to close or modify 16 level crossings in Cambridgeshire. Find out which Cambridgeshire level crossings will be impacted.
On 26 November 2020, we received a decision granting the powers to close or modify 9 level crossings in Suffolk. Find out which Suffolk level crossings will be impacted.
Before we start work on the new alternative routes for the level crossings, we will work with landowners and local County Councils to agree the final steps in the design process. An update will be published once designs have been confirmed.
Find the Inspector’s reports and the Secretary of State for Transport’s decision letter on the following links:
Contact us
The formal consultation period has now ended. However, if you wish to leave feedback or have any queries on this project, please visit our contact us page or call our national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.
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.