Dave Thompson MSP

AN MSP who has campaigned for the addition of barriers at currently unguarded railway level crossings has written to Network Rail to request a timetable for when 15 crossings identified as dangerous in a recent damning inspectors report will be upgraded or closed.

The call from Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, preceded the Scottish launch on Friday of a video surveillance vehicle to catch motorists who disregard warning signs and drive across level crossings despite warnings of an coming train.

In July a report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch of the UK Department for Transport identified 15 ungated level crossings (AOCLs) in Scotland as having “an enhanced likelihood of collision” and recommended that:

“Network Rail should immediately implement a programme to upgrade the highest risk AOCLs” and stated that this assessment of risk should take account of the past history of incidents at all crossings.

It also stated that testing of a new, less expensive, style of shorter barrier should not be allowed to delay the upgrade programme and that work should begin using a more expensive older design if that was all that was available in the short term.

“After years of campaigning for this type of improvement to improve public safety on this type of railway level crossing, I was delighted when this report was published, vindicating my campaign,” said Mr Thompson.

“So earlier this month, two months after the RAIB sent a clear signal to Network Rail that action was needed, in the absence of any affirmative action I decided to write to Ron McAulay, the company’s Scottish Director, to request a firm timetable for this vital improvement work.

“In the past, Network Rail has put the blame for the high number of accidents, close shaves and fatalities on the motorist and said all that is needed is greater detection and prosecution of those who disregard warning signs.

“While it is vital that drivers obey these signs, I and many others, including the RAIB, agree that Network Rail must do everything possible to provide clearer warnings of an oncoming train and the clearest warning of all is a physical barrier across the roadway.

Notes:

The RAIB report “Investigation Into The Safety Of Automatic Open Level Crossings On Network Rail’s Managed Infrastructure” can be found at: http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/110728_R122011_AOCLs%20Class%20Inv.pdf

In 2010 Mr Thompson distributed a questionnaire on level crossing safety to almost 14,000 constituents in areas close to AOCL crossings. Almost 2,500 of these were returned with 86 per cent calling for the addition of barriers.

In September 2009, 81-year-old Angus MacKay, of Inverness, failed to notice a flashing warning light as he drove towards an ungated level crossing at Halkirk. His Nissan Micra was struck by the Inverness to Wick train, killing Mr MacKay, his wife Margaret (also 81) and his brother Donald 66.