Changes

From re-opening, a hand signalman was required to be present during operations. To remove the need for this, a successful application was made to the Department of Transport in 1979 for Northwood to be made an 'open' crossing<ref>SVR News 52</ref>. Equipment for this was duly installed, and the crossing was commissioned in July 1980<Ref>SVR News 57</ref>. The crossing has no gates or barriers, but is protected by flashing lights displayed to road traffic together with an audible warning (the only crossing on the SVR protected in this fashion). The warning lights are operated automatically by track circuits and treadles, with a white light displayed to the train to indicate that they are operating correctly. Modern-style warning boards consisting of a black cross on a white square background are positioned on the approach to the crossing in both directions.

Despite these measures, in [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2000-2009 | November 2000]] the crossing was the site of a collision between 8F 48773 and a van. HM Railway Inspectorate later confirmed that the Railway was not at fault.