Ferry level crossing reopens to public but ‘Harecraig mystery’ baffles locals

Residents bemused by lack of clarity over use of town’s popular walkway

A Dundee level crossing which was controversially shut during the height of the pandemic has reopened with new restrictions.

Broughty Ferry’s Harecraig crossing was closed without warning to pedestrians and vehicles in April due to Covid-19, despite it being a popular route for many elderly people living locally.

Network Rail this week took the decision to reopen the link, which connects Grassy Beach with Ogilvie Road, but only from 6am until 10pm.

It is understood workers from the organisation have also been asked to monitor its use for the next eight weeks.

Broughty Ferry councillor Craig Duncan welcomed the reopening but branded the lack of clarity on its future the “Harecraig mystery”.

“I would say Network Rail had no right to close it in the first place,” he said.

“It’s been a public right of way in practice for decades. They never made clear why it was closed and in what way Covid-19 made it unsafe.

“That concerns me because now they’ve opened it they have someone watching the crossing. What is the issue here? You might want to call it the Harecraig mystery.”

The only alternative for many of the elderly residents to exit cul-de-sacs on the north side of the track is to walk up Ogilvie Road – one of Dundee’s steepest streets.

Many who relied on the link for their daily exercise under lockdown had complained of being “penned in” when it was shut.

It is also commonly used by the Royal Tay Yacht Club to transport boats to the shore.

Mr Duncan added: “Having it closed during the night is a new one to me.

“It seemed initially it was closed due to Covid-19 but it seems to have morphed into general concerns about safety.

“The older residents I’ve spoken to are delighted it is open again, but there are a lot of unanswered questions.”

Network Rail, which owns and manages most of the railway infrastructure in Great Britain, was asked for clarity on the crossing but did not respond.

A spokesperson had previously said a number of crossings serving businesses or facilities that were not functioning due to Covid-19 were locked out of use and promised to review the measures in the future.

The residents I’ve spoken to are delighted it is open but there are unanswered questions. CRAIG DUNCAN

Harecraig railway crossing in Broughty Ferry was padlocked shut due to Covid-19 but has now reopened.