HIGHLANDS and ISLANDS MSP LAUNCHES LEVEL CROSSINGS CONSULTATION

HIGHLANDS and ISLANDS MSP LAUNCHES LEVEL CROSSINGS CONSULTATION

Highlands & Islands SNP MSP Dave Thompson has today launched a consultation across the Highlands on the safety of open level crossings.

There are 23 open level crossings in Scotland, with 21 located in the Highlands & Islands. Although open crossings only account for 2% of Network Rail's total number of level crossings, in the last ten years 31% of collisions have taken place at them.

Following the tragic accident in September at Halkirk in which three members of the same family were killed when their car collided with a train at an open crossing, Mr Thompson decided to consult Highland residents about how to make crossings safer and restore public confidence.

Mr Thompson said,

"I have campaigned for a number of years for improved safety at open crossings and, following a positive meeting I had recently with the Transport Minister, wish to strengthen the case for barriers at all open level crossings in Scotland.

"Therefore I am keen to hear the public's views on the matter. Whether they feel crossings are safe as they are or needing barriers installed I hope that everyone will take the time to give me their input.

"I will be using the findings of this survey to report back to the Transport Minister. If the majority of the public feels barriers are necessary - as was the case in Ireland in the 1980's when they upgraded all open crossings to barriers - then that is what I will relay to the Government.

"My understanding is that these barriers would cost about £1m a time which is a lot of money, but at the end of the day if we want to save lives and if that would help to save lives then that is the road we must go down.