INCIDENTS of people risking their lives to beat the barriers at Lydney level crossing happened almost once a fortnight on average last year.

The shocking figures were released by Network Rail as they launched a safety drive at the crossing next to Lydney station ahead of major changes to the crossing.

There were 22 cases of people "misusing" the crossing last year and rail staff and police were in the area reminding people of the danger of ignoring warnings. The crossing is currently operated by an attendant in the signal box next to the station but that is to be replaced later this year with a CCTV system monitored from a control room in Cardiff.

The changes will be complete in October and will include repositioning the barriers, one on each side of the road, providing audible alarms with a quieter night setting, installing tactile paving and improving lighting.

Initial works will take place from 11pm on Saturday, March 10 until 5am on Monday, April 2.

For most of this time the road over the crossing will remain open and be closed off to allow trains to pass using traffic lights and manual barriers. An attendant will be present at all times.

There may be some minor delays during these works.

The crossing will closed to all traffic between 1am and 7am on Sunday, March 11 for "decommissioning" of the crossing and between 11pm on Saturday, March 31 and 3am on Sunday, April 1 for road marking works.

The new system with CCTV replacing the crossing keeper will be introduced in October.

Network Rail says the change has been approved by the Office of Rail Regulation and is recommended by the Rail Accident Investigation Board.

Anyone with questions about the changes can find out more from http://www.networkrail.co.uk">www.networkrail.co.uk or by phoning the 24-hour helpline on 08457 114141.

Network Rail's community safety manager Liz Heading said: "Through this concerted campaign of educating the public and upgrading the level crossing we aim to discourage risk taking and introduce a further level of safety."