The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Safety assurances after concern over Fife level crossing
Rail bosses have moved to reassure locals over the safety of a Fife level crossing. Concerns were raised about the crossing at Kingseat Road, Halbeath, after the barriers failed in August.
T he pre vious month there were reports of the lights flashing without the barriers lowering.
Douglas Chapman, SNP MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, met Network Rail to discuss the issue.
He said he had been given an assurance a train would never enter a level crossing when a fault resulting in the barrier remaining open was detected.
In these circumstances the train would always be signalled to stop.
He said: “Initially, I was very concerned about the incidents and the danger that could pose to the public when the barriers were stuck in the raised position which was very disconcerting for those driving over the crossing.
“However, having now spoken to the Network Rail team, I am reassured all safety measures have been taken to put public safety first.”
A Freedom of Information request by Mr Chapman revealed that since 2015 there have been 33 faults reported at the site.
However, Network Rail said just seven of these would have affected the public. Some of the faults reported were trivial such as a plastic bag covering CCTV cameras.
Mr Chapman said: “Due to the very nature of the gates being mechanical, faults can happen, but we can all be safe in the knowledge that if it does occur again, and on the rare occasion that it does, then Network Rail will respond quickly.
“The response team are based at Inverkeithing and can get to Halbeath to fix a problem within 10 minutes.
“I know entering the level crossing can present anxiety for some, but I was reassured by the Network Rail team and their level of professionalism in keeping everyone safe.”