Dave Thompson MSP

The decision by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) to widen the term of its investigation into a fatal accident at an open level crossing near Halkirk, which claimed the lives of three elderly car occupants on September 29th, has been welcomed by Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson.

Since entering parliament, Mr Thompson, of the SNP, has campaigned for improved safety on rail crossings within his constituency, which include all but two of the open level crossings in Scotland.

Responding to the news that RAIB would look beyond the circumstances of last month's crash at Halkirk to review the reasons why almost a third of all level crossing accidents happen on this type of level crossing, which makes up just two per cent of the country's total, Mr Thompson said: "I am pleased that this investigation will look to see what lessons can be learned about this type of crossing. When 31 per cent of accidents happen on just two per cent of crossings, that would seem to indicate that something is not right with the design of the crossing.

"The use of this type of crossing has been phased out in many areas. In Northern Ireland they were phased out completely during the 1980s because of similar safety fears and I believe it is time that Scotland learns the same lesson before other lives are lost.

"My research has revealed that outside my constituency the only crossings on rail track lines in Scotland which have no barriers are two found at Ardrossan in Ayrshire. All the rest are on Highland lines and that is one of the matters I plan to raise with Stewart Stevenson, the Transport Minister, when I meet him again tomorrow to press him for improvements to the programme of upgrades to this type of crossing."

Notes:

Angus and Margaret MacKay (both 81) of Firthview Avenue, Inverness, were killed in their car with Mr MacKay's brother Donald (66), of Latheron, Caithness, when it collided with the 10.38am Inverness to Wick train at 14.06pm on September 29. Nobody on board the train was injured.

There are 26 open crossings on public land in Scotland. Of these, 23 are in the Highland Council area, another is also within Mr Thompson's Highlands and Islands constituency at Rosarie on the Resaurie to Keith line in Moray.  The final two open crossings are in Ardrossan, Ayrshire.

For more on the RAIB's investigation see here.