SAFETY cameras installed at Leominster's level crossing will be activated this month.

The cameras have been installed by Network Rail in a bid to help deter motorists from taking unnecessary risks such as jumping red lights or weaving around barriers to save time.

They will capture images of any motorists who breach the barrier lines after the red warning lights are on and will use number plate recognition technology.

The footage can then be used to prosecute or issue a violation via the DVLA.

These actions are already highlighted as breaching the Highway Code and until now were only able to be enforced if a police officer was on site.

Christine Booth, operations risk advisor for Network Rail, said: "As part of our plans to make level crossings safer, we are installing cameras across the network to encourage safer driving and reduce the risk of a potentially fatal collision with a train. "With the railway network and road traffic only getting busier, we need to do all we can to deter people from taking a risk which could result in a nasty collision."

She added that the cameras are there as a deterrent to remind motorists of the real dangers posed by jumping the lights.

Leominster level crossing has 99 trains passing through it each day with a line speed of 90mph.