Meerkat is a footpath & bridleway (FPBW) level crossing protection system that can significantly reduce the safety risk at a typical crossing for a unit cost of less than £40,000. As such, for the specific hazards it mitigates and associated Fatalities & Weighted Injuries (FWI), it has a positive cost benefit (safety) ratio. This innovative system performs a safety-critical function and has high availability, whilst also specifically being designed to be solar-powered, use a license-free wireless network and low-power radar for train detection. The system is also independent of existing Signalling and Telecoms and quick and easy to install, requiring minimal civils infrastructure, thereby also simplifying the approvals process. Minimising complexity at all stages of design has been key to delivering this system; the simplicity also helps to reduce cost and maintenance. However, in order to adhere with SIL 2 requirements, extensive component health monitoring has been incorporated in the design together with a mechanism to ensure that the system can transition into a safe mode whenever a (safetyrelated) fault is detected. In addition, all faults and performance statistics are reported to a central hub that subsequently informs maintenance teams.