Network Rail has completed upgrade work at four level crossings to improve safety on two branch lines in Cornwall.

Crossings on the Gunnislake branch, at Okeltor and Sandways, and Lodge Farm and Terras crossings on the Looe branch have all been upgraded from open crossings, without barriers, to actively protected crossings.

Previously, trains needed to slow down approaching the crossings, sound their horn to warn pedestrians or traffic and proceed at a very slow speed.

With automatic active protection now in place, lights and alarms warn crossing users that a train is approaching. New barriers that have been installed at Terras and Lodge Farm crossings will also lower automatically. Barriers could not be installed at Sandways, because traffic may queue across a main road, and Okeltor, because the site is not large enough.

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The work was part of the Devon and Cornwall signalling programme to improve the reliability and resilience of the railway in the region, which also saw upgrades to level crossings at Truro and Lostwithiel.

Network Rail level crossing manager Lianne Vennin said: "This has been part of our ongoing effort to improve level crossing safety and we’d like to thank the community for their patience while the work took place.

"Safety is always our priority and, even with greater protection now in place at these crossings, we urge anyone using them to do so with care and attention to avoid the risk of injury."