THREE footpath level crossings in Sussex have had new audible warnings fitted to alert pedestrians about approaching trains.

The system has been installed at sites in Pulborough, Rustington and Rye as part of a Network Rail upgrade plan.

Each solar-powered unit reproduces the sound of a train horn and is triggered automatically as a train approaches.

This provides a secondary warning in the event a crossing user does not hear the train’s original horn.

Network Rail south east route managing director John Halsall said: “Level crossings remain the biggest source of risk on the rail network.

“We want everyone who lives or works near the railway to be safe.

“This is why we are investing in a variety of projects to improve level crossing safety as part of our rail upgrade plan.

“This involves major investments such as new footbridges as well as a range of smaller yet effective improvements such as new technology which also help us reduce risk and save lives.”

Network Rail has now installed 13 of these devices across the south east and there are plans for more to come.