Hi-tech safety enforcement cameras have been installed at five high-risk locations including:

• Bescar Lane level crossing in Scarisbrick, Lancashire
• Hoscar level crossing in Lathom, Lancashire
• Station Road level crossing in Hoghton, Lancashire
• Black Dyke level crossing in Arnside, Cumbria
• Crescent Road level crossing in Sefton, Merseyside

Like speed cameras, red light safety enforcement (RLSE) cameras can identify vehicles which jump the lights at level crossings.

Offenders are automatically notified of their offence and face a £60 fine, points on their licence, or can choose to sit a level crossing safety awareness course.

Motorists are once again being reminded that jumping the lights at level crossings can have catastrophic consequences and they not only risk their own lives, but also those of train drivers and their passengers.

Mark Brunnen, Level Crossing Route Asset Manager at Network Rail, said: “These cameras are a proven deterrent to improve safety and discourage motorists from taking unnecessary risks when crossing the railway. Knowing that jumping the lights or swerving the barriers at a level crossing will almost certainly result in a prosecution is enough to make most drivers think twice.

“This isn’t about money, as Network Rail doesn’t receive any of the fines collected. This is about keeping road vehicles and trains safely apart. For us, the perfect scenario is to have everyone cross the railway safely with no penalties issued.”

As an extra deterrent, signs will be installed to warn motorists they could be caught on camera.

The cameras are part of a wider £99 million investment to improve level crossing safety across the rail network.

The RLSE cameras have already been installed at 31 crossings elsewhere in the country.