Council Calls for Review of Safety at Rail Level Crossings in Highland

The Highland Council has called for a review of safety at level crossings in Highland following the latest in a number of tragic accidents – at Delny in Easter Ross.

The Council was already concerned about the safety at level crossings, particularly in Dingwall, before the latest accident on Friday 2 February, which claimed the lives of two young Easter Ross men.

Councillor Richard Durham, who represents Seaboard, raised the issue at a special meeting of the Council on Thursday (8 February) during a debate on regional transport strategy.

He said: “Following the tragic accident at Delny, the local communities would wish to express great sympathy to the families involved.  We are already in talks with Network Rail to identify how we can make rail crossings safer for road users and hopefully early progress can be made.”

Councillor Durham was one of the Council representatives who attended a meeting with representatives of Network Rail in Dingwall on Wednesday (7 February) to discuss safety enhancements at level crossings.

Convener Alison Magee noted that serious accidents had occurred at other level crossings in the Highlands and that a review needed to be Highland wide.

She said: “We must review safety at all Highland level crossings in light of a number of recent incidents, including the recent tragic event at Delny.  We could consider providing better advance warning to motorists, especially as there is increased traffic both on our roads and on the railway.”