Passengers across Essex, Havering, Southend and Thurrock are being invited to a series of consultation events to see Network Rail's plans to close 61 level crossings across the region.

They won't all be closed, as some will just be changed, but the overall aim is to alter how the public Rights of Way work.

Consultation events are going to be held in Witham, Colchester, Saffron Walden, Harlow and Wickford.

These are part of a further-reaching Anglia consultation, which has shown that 130 crossings can be closed or modified.

By closing the crossings and diverting to alternatives, the railway will be safer for passengers, as it removes the point where people can come into contact with trains.

Richard Schofield, Network Rail's route managing director for Anglia, said: "Our plans to close level crossings propose small changes to how people cross the railway, but the closures will help us reduce the risks that level crossings pose, improve safety and reliability of the railway for the future."