Cameras have been installed at a level crossing after two people were almost killed in the space of an hour.

Train drivers have been forced to carry out emergency stops on the Tidemills stretch of track near Newhaven after members of the public attempted to cross when it was not safe to do so.

In one instance the train stopped just six feet away from a pedestrian.

Last week there were three near misses and two of those happened in a single hour.

Safety campaigners say the crossing has become more popular in recent months.

But Network Rail say two near misses in an hour was unprecedented and they have now installed cameras to get to the bottom of what is going wrong.

A spokesman said: “The crossing is safe if used properly.”

Jim Skinner, from the Friends of Tidemills, has been in discussions with Network Rail over the crossing.

He said: "It’s a gated crossing and the main gates that would let vehicles through are locked to everyone but the emergency services. But there are sets of narrow gates for pedestrians to cross.

“There are only three ways of accessing Tidemill beach, one from Seaford, another obscure path from Newhaven and then the level crossing and that option has become very popular since a car park was installed nearby.

“The beach has become busier than ever now it’s been cleaned up and is becoming a well-known spot for surfers.

“A lot of these people are not local and don’t realise that trains whistle past four times an hour.

“Network Rail have done a lot to make it as safe as possible, they have cut back all the shrubbery so people have a clear view down the track but I wonder if the time people are taking to get through the gates is distracting them or if perhaps people are acting foolishly - this is why they have opted to install cameras - so they have evidence of what’s going on.

“As a group our ideal is that a traffic light system will be installed for pedestrians, so it is absolutely clear when to cross but that is an expensive project that will require further discussion.”

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