As a Crossing Keeper, you’ll play an important role in keeping people safe and trains running on time by managing the safe operation of level crossings across the railway network.
Level crossings connect railways with roads, footpaths and local communities. You’ll operate barriers and crossing equipment in line with train movements, ensuring crossings are closed and secured before trains approach and reopened only when it is safe to do so.
Depending on the location, you may work independently at a local crossing or as part of a wider team within a Signalling Centre or Rail Operating Centre, where you’ll manage multiple CCTV-controlled crossings alongside Signallers and other operational colleagues.
No matter where you’re based, your focus will be the same: protecting the public, supporting the safe movement of trains, and helping to keep the railway running efficiently.
Our Crossing Keepers work a variety of shift patterns, including nights, evenings, weekends and bank holidays, and you’ll usually be working alone. It’s not for everyone – but you’ll finish the day knowing the work you’re doing has helped millions reach their destinations safely.
We’re committed to keeping our tracks, staff, and passengers safe, so it’s important that you’re always alert when you’re working as a Crossing Keeper.
This is a vital safety-critical role at the heart of one of the busiest parts of the rail network. Crossing Keepers take control of our crossings and enable our railway to run safely.
Make sure you also check out other Frequently Asked Questions on our FAQs page.
Age; You need to be 18 or over to apply for all our Operations roles. There is no upper age limit.
Right to work; These roles are not eligible for skilled worker visa sponsorship.
Your eligibility will be checked as part of our onboarding process which consists of right-to-work verification, DBS screening, employment references, medical assessment, drugs and alcohol testing and pre-employment checks.
As this is a safety-critical role, you’ll need to pass a pre-employment medical assessment, drugs and alcohol screening, and any other required checks. Before applying please check these FAQs thoroughly and all relevant areas of the website about the role you are interested in before beginning your application as there are pre-excluding conditions we cannot accommodate in these roles.
You must not have a medical condition, or be undergoing treatment, that is likely to cause:
The information above is a guide and every candidate is assessed individually. These risks are assessed in line with industry guidance, including the RSSB standard on managing sudden incapacity in safety-critical roles.
You’ll need to meet the required hearing, eyesight (including colour vision), and fitness standards for the role, and be able to work safely, including lone working at some locations.
For hearing; you’ll need to be able to understand and hear normal conversations, use the telephone and hear alarms above background workplace noise. You must not have any condition that could cause sudden or unpredictable hearing loss.
For eyesight; your colour vision must be recorded as normal. The minimum visual-acuity standard is 6/12 in the better eye and 6/36 in the other eye. You must also have full visual fields in both eyes and no eye condition likely to cause a deterioration in vision. If you wear contact lenses, you must carry prescription glasses as a backup on duty.
For speech; any speech impediment will be assessed to confirm you can communicate clearly and work safely in time-critical and safety-critical situations.
The information above is a guide and every candidate is assessed individually. These risks are assessed in line with industry guidance, including the RSSB standard on managing sudden incapacity in safety-critical roles.
Due to working time regulations and fatigue standards, you will need to currently live within a specified travel time of the signalling location you are applying for. This is typically 50 to 60 minutes.
Applications based on relocation won’t be considered.
Please note, some locations will also require you to have access to your own vehicle due to limited public transportation options.
The railway operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You’ll need to be comfortable working shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Some Crossing Keeper roles involve lone working at individual crossings, while others are based within a Signalling Centre or Rail Operating Centre as part of a wider operational team. The specific working arrangements for each role will be detailed in specific job adverts
This role will involve some initial theoretical training followed by on-the-job practical training. The content of the training is location specific.
Crossing Keeper roles are aligned to our Signaller grades (Grades 1 and 2).
The grade and salary will be shown clearly in each vacancy. Some roles may also include flexibility or shift-related premiums, payments connected with particular working arrangements, opportunities to work overtime, Network Rail pension and employee benefits.
Any additional premium will be stated separately in the vacancy, so you can understand the full remuneration package before applying.
Your training will prepare you to operate crossings safely and confidently at your location. Crossing Keeper training is delivered on the job and tailored to the specific crossing, equipment and working environment you’ll be responsible for. You’ll learn how to follow local procedures, operate barriers and systems safely, communicate with the right teams and respond to different situations.
Our Crossing Keeper application process is designed to help us understand your suitability for safety-critical railway work. Each stage helps assess how you think, communicate and respond to different situations, while giving you the chance to decide whether crossing keeping is right for you. The process takes time and commitment, so we’ve set out each stage clearly to help you understand what to expect and how to prepare.
Crossing keeping is challenging, rewarding and vital to keeping the railway running safely. You’ll carry real responsibility and we’ll support you as you build the knowledge, confidence and skills to succeed. If you still have questions about crossing keeping our quick-fire FAQs are here to help.
There are no current vacancies for this role, but that changes regularly. Register your interest and we’ll contact you when suitable opportunities open.
