DRIVERS in Cumbria who ignore red lights at level crossings could face fines after new cameras were installed at high-risk locations.

It comes after Network Rail installed hi-tech safety enforcement cameras at five places which it deems are most at risk.

One has been added at the Black Dyke level crossing at Arnside in the south of the county.

Another three have been installed in Lancashire, with one in Merseyside.

Like speed cameras, the new 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.

The fines collected will go into the Government’s Consolidated Fund, the same as all other road traffic offence penalties.

While there are no plans to install any more red light safety enforcement cameras in Cumbria, a spokesman for Network Rail said the company will constantly monitor driver behaviour at level crossings in the county.

He said: "Should any further sites be identified where safety needs to be improved, we may deploy the technology there in the future."

Motorists are 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.

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

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

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