THE notorious level crossing at Ufton Nevert will be replaced with a bridge after councillors unanimously voted in favour of the proposals last night.

Seven people lost their lives when a train collided with a car which had been deliberately parked on the level crossing at Ufton Nervet on November 6, 2004.

Since then another four people have died at the crossing, which lead to plans for the half-barrier crossing to be replaced with a safer alternative.

On the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the 2004 crash, Network Rail announced it had found the £8m to £10m required to build a bridge.

Voting in favour of the plans at an eastern area planning meeting last night, councillor Alan Law (Con, Basildon) said the bridge had been a "long time coming".

Network Rail representative, Dan Collins, said that work on the bridge would start early in 2016 and would be finished by the end of next year.

More to follow.