Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, is confident the Scottish Government is giving serious consideration to his proposal that every open level crossing is replaced within an agreed timescale.

Mr Thompson spoke following the tragic events of last month when three elderly members of the same family were killed when their car collided with a train at the Bridge Street level crossing in Halkirk.

On Thursday afternoon he held substantive talks with Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson to discuss the fact that almost a third of all accidents on level crossings occur on this specific type of crossing which are not protected by a barrier and represent just two per cent of the total.

Mr Thompson argued that a time limit of five years should be set for the replacement of the country's 26 level crossings of this open type on lines operated by Network Rail and was pleased that the minister gave his case a reasonable hearing. Later the minister held a brief meeting with a gathering of opposition MSPs to informn them of his determination to deal with the issue.

"I am confident my call to the minister for a five-year programme to replace these crossings will be given serious consideration," Mr Thompson said.

He also noted that the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), which has widened the scope of its inquiry into the Halkirk accident to look at other accidents on this type of crossing, may recommend earlier action is needed.

"It may be that RAIB come up with other temporary recommendations to make sure drivers of both trains and road vehicles are aware of each other's presence," he said. "That may be larger 'Give Way' signs or even 'Stop' signs for both trains and motorists."

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 Automatic Open Crossing - Locally Monitored (AOCL) in Scotland. Of these 23 are in the Highland Council area and other is also within Mr Thompson's Highlands and Islands constituency on the Resaurie to Keith line in Moray. The other two are in Ardrossan, Ayrshire.

For more on the RAIB's investigation see here.