Rail underpass ‘safe’ after timber falls from roof

Transport chiefs assure rail users there is no danger from structure after assessment by engineer

Transport chiefs have assured members of the Angus public and commuters that an east coast rail underpass is safe after timber “degraded” and fell from its roof.

Concerns were aired on social media after a picture was posted online of damage to the framework of an underpass in Carnoustie.

The picture on community page Our Carnoustie showed part of the underpass’ timber frame falling in between Fox Street and Links Parade, near the railway station.

The matter was quickly reported to Police Scotland and Network Rail by a concerned member of the public on Sunday night, and pedestrians were warned to stay away until an engineer checked the damage.

The rail agency today moved to calm any fears over further damage to the walkway and assured pedestrians that the bridge above is in “good order”.

No commuters will be affected by work at the underpass.

A spokesman for Network Rail said the incident was “isolated” and was quickly checked out by an engineer late on Sunday.

“It’s been dealt with very quickly after a member of the public came on to the signaller with their concerns,” he said.

“At 9.29pm the signaller at Carnoustie was advised by a member of the public that a section of the underpass had fallen in. “They were worried about safety. “At 9.37pm he had inspected it and he called out a bridge inspection engineer who came out shortly after.

“At 10.17pm the engineer got there and had a look and reported back at 11.39pm.

“He said that one of the timber supports for the underpass has degraded and brought down some of the cladding with it. “The rest of the structure is safe. “It’s an isolated incident.” Last week, commuters between Aberdeen and Dundee faced morning delays due to a broken-down engineering train at Inverkeilor.

A timber frame fell at the underpass between Fox Street and Links Parade in Carnoustie.