Foxton rail crossing

SAFETY at a notorious level crossing has been improved after a sustained campaign from villagers.

The gates at Foxton Level Crossing have been upgraded with the faulty locking mechanism now fixed.

It was this mechanism which malfunctioned and saw two teenager girls trapped in front of an oncoming train earlier this year, thankfully they escaped unharmed.

Network Rail improved the gates last year but did not upgrade the key component - which meant they worked on 50-year-old technology

A spokesman for the firm said: “Over the weekend we completed work to upgrade the locking mechanism on the gates at Foxton level crossing.

“In September, we will complete work on CCTV and lighting at the crossing.”

Pressure was mounting on the rail operator to take action after the The Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group took up the cause which culminated in a visit by Tina Hughes, the mother of Olivia Bazlinton, 14, - who was killed along with her friend Charlotte Thompson, 13, at an Essex level crossing in 2005.