Dave Thompson MSP

I had the very real pleasure of being the Chieftain of the Mallaig and Morar Games this year again.  I was piped into the Games, in fine form, by the fantastic Lochaber Schools Pipe Band who are a credit to Lochaber.  A grand time was had by all in a games renowned for its friendliness and held amidst some of the most wonderful scenery in the world and I would like to offer my congratulations to the organising committee for another well run, heart-warming and exciting gathering in Morar. I spoke to Leen Volwark at the games about training youngsters as future athletes, especially in the heavy events, and have raised the issue with Ken Gowans, the sports spokesperson for the SNP Council Group who lead Highland Council, and hope to make some progress on this important issue.

I also visited John and Jan Bryden and had a look at the work which has been done on the Glenfinnan to Lochailort section of the A830. I am very pleased at the progress which has been made with barriers and friction surfaces on some of the corners but feel that there are still some corners which could benefit from a friction surface and have written to Transport Scotland to ask them to look at this. I know that they have also had a look at these corners with John and Jan and I am hopeful that we will get a positive response from them at the next public meeting on the A830 (our third) in Arisaig on Friday 26 October.

A trip to Ardrossan in Ayrshire to witness the completion of trials on a new type of mini level crossing barrier with Cabinet Secretary Alex Neil left me delighted that, as I had hoped, the roll-out of the new Network Rail level crossing barriers will now go ahead. It will be implemented across the whole of the UK but will be starting in the Highlands. Several crossings are scheduled very soon, including the one at Corpach and more will quickly follow. I have campaigned for this, along with others, since I was elected in 2007 and am very pleased that Network Rail has now agreed to spend £4 million over the next 18 months to put barriers on all of their Highland crossings and am doubly pleased that this will then be rolled out to the whole of the UK.

There is no doubt that this will save lives and people will also have the reassurance of a physical barrier coming down across the road to warn them of an approaching train. I would like to thank all those who have assisted with this campaign and particularly all the good folk who took the time to respond to my survey on this very important issue.  The response was phenomenal and really showed me that the people of the Highlands really cared about this issue and wanted these barriers put in place, not just for the safety of road users but for the safety of rail users as well.

Finally, I will be attending the Community engagement event on Rum on Friday the 28 September. I am really looking forward to the event and having the chance to meet and chat with the Rum community who have great drive and enthusiasm and will help in any way I can to take things forward. I will also be holding surgeries in Mallaig and Caol on the Saturday afternoon and look forward to seeing anyone who may need my assistance with any matter.