Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for the Highlands & Islands, today met with the Scottish Government's Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson to present the findings of his Highland-wide consultation on open level crossings.

Mr Thompson used the meeting to push the case for barriers to be installed at the 23 AOCL open crossings in Scotland, the highest risk type of crossing - 21 of which are located throughout Mr Thompson's constituency.

Commenting on the meeting, Mr Thompson said: "This report clearly shows the majority of people in the Highlands, an area with over 90% of AOCL crossings, do not feel safe using them. An even larger proportion, 86% have called for barriers to be installed at the 23 remaining in Scotland.

"Today's meeting was useful and I was pleased to see the Minister, Network Rail and other stakeholders taking the issue so seriously.

"The Minister reported to me that a workshop was held last week with Network Rail, the Office of Rail Regulation and other stakeholders to consider the issue.

"I am hopeful of progress in the next financial year and will not stop pressing the case until something is done.  That is my responsibility as a Highlands & Islands MSP and I will not waver on that.

Note:

Dave Thompson conducted a survey of 13,779 households throughout the Highlands on the issue of safety at open level crossings. 2,483 responses were received equalling an 18% response rate.

Of those who responded:

• 77% stated they do not feel safe using open level crossings
  
• 86% opted for installing barriers at open level crossings in order to adequately address public safety.
  
• A further 767 respondents shared personal stories of near misses or accidents, or stories of those they knew who had experienced a near miss or accident.