Network Rail is to close or modify 37 railway crossings in southeast England to reduce risk and create a safer railway.

In 2017, Network Rail submitted a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to close or modify 57 crossings in Essex, Hertfordshire, the unitary authorities of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea, and the London Borough of Havering. The Secretary of State has granted Network Rail the powers to close or modify 37 of them.

The crossings affected are:

• Noakes (CM3 3HH)
• Parsonage Lane/Margaretting (CM4 9JJ)
• Maldon Road (CM4 9JS)
• Cranes No 2 (CM8 1RN)
• Elephant (CB11 3PE)
• Windmills (CB11 3TT)
• Henham (CB11 3XP)
• Old Lane (CM19 5DS)
• Camps (CM19 5DY)
• Parndon Mill (CM20 2HR)
• Elsenham Emergency Hut (CM22 6JL)
• Ugley Lane (CM22 6LD)
• Johnsons (CM23 2AH)
• Gilston (CM23 4AS)
• Tednambury (CM23 4BD)
• Cranes No 1 (CM77 8NU)
• Church 2 (CO3 8NE)
• Snivillers (CO5 9EN)
• Hill House 1 (CO5 9EN)
• Great Domsey (CO5 9EP)
• Long Green (CO6 1XP)
• Abbotts (CO7 7RS)
• Great Bentley station (CO7 8LU)
• Lords No1 (CO7 8NX)
• Wheatsheaf (CO11 2TQ)
• Bluehouse (CO13 0EP)
• Trinity Lane (EN8 7EP)
• Cadmore Lane (EN8 9SA)
• Butts Lane (RM11 3NA)
• Woodhall Crescent (RM11 3ST)
• Manor Farm (RM14 2TZ)
• Whipps Farmers (RM14 3PJ)
• No131 (RM19 1SX)
• Barbara Close (SS4 1NQ)
• Ferry (SS7 1NR)
• Brickyard Farm (SS8 0QT)
• Howells Farm (SS17 9EY)

As a safe, alternative route across the railway already exists nearby, the crossings at Old Lane, Parsonage Lane/Margaretting, Church 2, Barbara Close, Cranes No.2, Cadmore Lane, Johnsons, Butts Lane, Woodhall Crescent can be closed immediately after receiving the necessary powers. Information will be posted at the crossing sites with details of diversionary routes to cross the railway.

Where a public crossing is closed, users will be diverted to a suitable and safe alternative route if it already exists. If a suitable and safe alternative does not currently exist, Network Rail will provide a new public route before the crossing is closed.

Further information about the crossing closures is available at www.networkrail.co.uk/anglialevelcrossings

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said:

“Improving safety on the railway continues to be my top priority and the powers we have been granted to close or modify 37 level crossings is a major step forward to achieving this.

“We will begin to remove some of these crossings immediately while others will need more time to provide a suitable diversion route before we close the crossing.

“I want to thank everyone who has been involved and taken the time to provide feedback and views on our proposals through the public consultation and public inquiry stages.”