RAILWAY bosses have installed CCTV to target drivers who ignore warnings that trains are approaching a level crossing branded one of the most dangerous in the Midlands.

Network Rail has installed the camera at the level crossing at Blythe Bridge train station to stop motorists driving through red lights at the level crossing.

The lights turn red and then the barriers come down, three minutes before a train is due to pass through the level crossing.

If caught by the camera, the motorists details will then be passed onto the British Transport Police to take further action.

The rail company says, in an average month, at least one motorist a month will hit the barriers at Blythe Bridge, costing them £5,000 to repair it each time.

Bosses at the company have revealed that only level crossings at Narborough in Leicestershire and Spondon in Derbyshire are worse than Blythe Bridge.

Rachel Blackman, spokesman for Network Rail, said: "We have installed the red light violation camera in a bid to stop drivers taking unnecessary risks at the station in Blythe Bridge.

"It is one of the top three most dangerous in the Midlands and is costing us thousands of pounds per month to repair.

"If the driver is caught passing through when the light changes to red, we will then pass their details on to the police.

"When the barrier comes down to let a train pass through, it only takes around three minutes before they are back up again and drivers can travel through safely."

The move to install the camera has been welcomed by chairman of Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook parish council, Gill Burton.

She said: "I'm pleased that Network Rail have taken a proactive stance on the matter.

"It is quite shocking to hear they deem the crossing to be so dangerous.

"Safety is the main issue here and the camera is designed to make motorists think about their actions.

"We want our area to be as safe as possible so I welcome the move to install the camera."

Parish councillor Frank Hopley said he hoped the camera would stop drivers speeding through on red.

He added: "Not only are they endangering themselves, they are other people too.

"We could be talking about a catastrophe taking place at the level crossing one day.

"It is time something was done about it and I am glad steps have been taken to hopefully stop drivers from taking risks."

Earlier this year, a pedestrian was left shaken when a lorry crashed through the level crossing barrier shortly before a train passed through.