LEVEL CROSSING ACCIDENT ADDS TO BARRIERS CAMPAIGN

LEVEL CROSSING ACCIDENT ADDS TO BARRIERS CAMPAIGN

Following another collision between a road vehicle and a train at an open
level crossing in the Highlands, the SNP MSP leading the campaign for the
installation of safety barriers at this type of crossing has called for
urgent action to prevent further accidents.

A van collided with the side of the 07:06 ScotRail Inverness to Wick
service when it passed over the B874 at Hoy, to the north-east of Halkirk,
shortly before noon on Saturday. The driver was taken to Caithness General
Hospital for minor injuries but none of the five passengers on board the
train nor the three ScotRail staff were harmed in the incident.

The accident happened close to the Bridge Street level crossing in
Halkirk, where three members of the same family were killed when their car
collided with a train at the village's other open level crossing.

SNP Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson is leading a campaign for
barriers to be introduced.

"Obviously I am very concerned to hear there has been another accident at
an open level crossing in the Highlands," Mr Thompson said when he was
informed of the incident.

"Fortunately nobody appears to have been seriously hurt this time but this
goes to show that this type of accident will continue to keep happening
until barriers are installed for the safety of motorists, rail staff and
train passengers."

Since December more than 2,500 residents near open level crossings in the
Highlands and Islands have called for barriers to be introduced as they
have responded to a consultation by Dave Thompson.

"This latest incident adds impetus to my campaign for gates to be
installed on this type of crossing," the MSP added.