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VIDEO: Near misses show need for Network Rail’s level crossing safety campaign

The level crossing at Broughty Ferry has been the scene of several incidents.
The level crossing at Broughty Ferry has been the scene of several incidents.

Rail bosses have launched a safety campaign aimed at dangerous drivers who flout warnings at level crossings.

Nine people were killed at level crossings in the last year and 453 people were involved in a near miss, either as a pedestrian or a motorist, according to figures released by Network Rail.

Also, there were 10 collisions between vehicles and trains and a further 33 vehicles struck and damaged barriers.

Broughty Ferry’s notorious Gray Street crossing saw 49 incidents in a 16-month period from January 2011. A further 10 people were reported for trespassing in the vicinity.

As part of International Level Crossing Awareness Day today, the rail safety team events will help educate people about how to cross the railway safely and prevent accidents.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Sk0NW3l21PA%3Frel%3D0

Network Rail has also pledged to spend £130 million on making level crossings safer by building footbridges, adding new barriers and new technology.

There have been several fatalities at level crossings across Courier Country, including 16-year-old Natalie Mulholland who died after she was struck by a train on a rural crossing in Springfield in 2009.

Last October an unnamed man was struck by the 5.56am Dundee to Glasgow Queen Street train shortly after 7am at Cornton level crossing, just north of Stirling.

There have also been several near misses in 2011, 73-year-old Kenneth McKie was handed a driving ban after ignoring red warning lights and lowering barriers to try and cross at the Forteviot junction.

The same year a Stagecoach driver was suspended after the bus he was driving hit a closing barrier at the level crossing between Errol and Inchture, narrowly avoiding colliding with a train.

Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, said level crossing safety was everyone’s responsibility.

He said: “Perthshire has 41 level crossings and unfortunately we have had too many incidents and casualties. While everything is being done by Network Rail and the police to improve safety, everyone is responsible for their own safety when it comes to level crossings.

“People who insist on crossing misuse put themselves and other members of the public at risk. I very much support the campaign for improved safety at level crossings and urge the public to take care and do all you can to reduce the issues and incidents at level crossings.”

Martin Gallagher, head of level crossings at Network Rail, said a programme of level crossing closures, including several in Perthshire, was helping to reduce the problem but, where such crossings remained, they are working to educate people.

“If we’re not able to close a crossing, we want to raise awareness of how to use crossings safely and the risks associated with getting distracted or ignoring warning signs. That’s why our safety teams are out across the country.”