The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Safety concerns after barriers fail to lower at Fife level crossing
TRANSPORT: Network Rail engineers called to repair fault at Halbeath
There are fears for the safety of people using a Fife level crossing after recent incidents where the barriers have malfunctioned.
The barriers at the Halbeath crossing on Kingseat Road, Dunfermline, failed on Wednesday morning. It followed reports last month of the lights flashing without the barriers lowering, which caused concern among motorists.
Network Rail confirmed engineers attended the crossing to repair a fault on Wednesday, adding that the issue was resolved within 45 minutes of it being reported and that the crossing was now working correctly.
However, Councillor Helen Law, who is the Labour convener of City of Dunfermline area committee, highlighted safety concerns.
“I’ve got safety concerns about level crossings in general,” she said.
“They are dangerous when they work, if people take chances, and dangerous when they’re on the blink.”
Ms Law said she would like to see the level crossing at Halbeath decommissioned as part of plans to build a new link road in the town.
As part of the town’s wider development, plans for a Northern Link Road and Western Distributor Road are in the pipeline.
The plans include a bridge over the railway line at Halbeath, and a design brief for the structure has been drawn up.
“I know it’s not always practical to have something else, and there is no alternative at Halbeath at this time, but I would hope in the future there would be a move towards having a link without a level crossing and creating a dedicated road space,” she said.
“I think in this day and age it’s time better arrangements were put in place because there have been some terrible accidents, maybe not at Halbeath but across the country.”
Douglas Chapman, SNP MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, called for “cast-iron reassurances” that the level crossing at Halbeath is operating safely.
He said: “Level crossings are a dangerous beast if the barriers are not functioning as they should.
“Thankfully, Network Rail quickly fixed the issue this time, but I hope this does not happen on a regular basis.
“Travelling by train is one of the safest modes of transport but we cannot play fast and loose with public or train driver safety or allow any complacency to creep in.
“On behalf of my constituents, I am asking for cast-iron reassurances from Network Rail that the performance of the crossing at Halbeath is regularly monitored and any issues fixed without delay.”
“I would hope in the future there would be a move towards having a link without a level crossing and creating a dedicated road space. COUNCILLOR HELEN LAW