Due to its location within Colchester's conservation area, East Gate

signal box cannot be demolished despite being out of use since 2009; no doubt much to the chagrin of Network Rail! The box was built by the LNER in 1924 to control the adjacent level crossing and the western junction of the short spur to Colchester Town station with its name coming from the road crossing the line rather than the junction itself! Notice the small extended gallery at the far end that enabled the signalmen to have a clear view of the bust road prior to lowering of the gates., a process that is now automated with the crossing monitored on a VDU in some signalling centre somewhere!