Fun fact:

In 1839 the Government introduced safety measures as well as standardisation for public level crossings. Where rail and public road crossed, the railway company had to provide gates that were kept closed across the road and operated by ‘good and proper persons’ to let road users pass. After 1863 new railway lines had very few level crossings as the Railway companies became obliged to build accommodation for a permanent crossing keeper. This encouraged railway companies to either go over or under Highways