Greater Anglia trains have been fitted with special cameras in a bid to prevent the annual scourge of leaves on the line.

They are filming routes across the region in a bid to spot trees and bushes growing across rail lines - to give Network Rail the chance to cut them back before they cause a problem.

Leaves on the line can pose problems for the railway as they stick to damp rails and passing trains compress them into a thin, slippery black layer on the rail which – much like black ice on the roads – can affect braking distance and reduce traction and acceleration.

This means train drivers must slow down earlier for stations and signals to avoid overshooting them. They must also accelerate more gently to avoid wheel spin. All this can increase journey time and lead to delays for passengers.

Seven years ago passenger services across the region were decimated after wheel slips damaged many trains - forcing dozens of services to be cancelled.

However figures show that Greater Anglia recorded its best autumn performance ever last year – with a reduction in delay minutes due to slippery rails and fewer cancellations compared to the previous year.

Greater Anglia’s new trains have been credited with handling the challenges of the ‘leaf fall’ season significantly better than the operator’s old fleet.

Engineering Director Martin Beable said: “Most trains are fitted with a system called ‘Wheel Slip Protection – or WSP.'

"This is the equivalent of the ABS system you have in your car and prevents trains from skidding which can damage their wheels.

“Our brand new intercity, regional and electric commuter trains are fitted with the very latest Wheel Slide Protection systems.”

This year Greater Anglia has also started using cameras in train cabs to record footage of trains’ journeys – the video is then analysed using AI technology to highlight areas of problem vegetation and produce maps used by Network Rail’s vegetation clearance teams.

In addition, Network Rail has already deployed its team of six ‘leaf busting’ Rail Head Treatment Trains (RHTTs) which will operate 24/7 blasting leaves off the lines with high pressure water jets.

Together they will clock up over 80,000 kilometres from 26 September until 16 December to keep rails clear across the region.