News Release
Dave Morris, Director of Ramblers Scotland, has told a rail-safety meeting in Edinburgh that discussions on rail crossing closures had "reached the end of the line" and the organisation was considering issuing its own guidance to walkers. He added that: “We are very disappointed that our suggestion was described in a BBC Radio Scotland interview as “crazy” by Ron MacAulay of Network Rail.”
One of the main agenda items at the Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC) meeting was "Controlling risks at level crossings".
The issue has come to a head after Network Rail began closing level crossings across Scotland. Network Rail considers around 600 of the 700 crossings in Scotland to be “private” and has sought to restrict public access across them. Members of the Scottish Parliament have also recently raised criticism of these closures.
The MSPs, members of the Justice 1 Committee, were discussing the Proposed Scottish Outdoor Access Code with Allan Wilson, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development. They received written evidence from a number of organisations concerned over Network Rail’s closure of crossings and their non-cooperation over the development of the Code.
Dave Morris commented: "We were not surprised that the Code has no guidance on rail crossings as we understand that Network Rail could not come to an agreement with Scottish Natural Heritage. This parallels our own experience from meeting Network Rail officials. They appeared to be badly informed about the new access legislation and ignorant of the existing basis by which the public take access across railway lines."
Discussions with Network Rail late in 2003 have been followed by further action by Network Rail in recent months. New notices have been erected at many level crossings that are used for public access. These notices state “private level crossing - authorised users only” and are confusing to the public and potentially inhibit access. They were erected without any consultation with SNH, local authorities or voluntary organisations.
Dave Morris, Director of Ramblers Scotland, said: "We are extremely frustrated with Network Rail and their obstructive attitude. We hope that the Minister will press Network Rail to meet Scottish Natural Heritage, local authority and Non Governmental Organisation representatives to agree the basis of advice for crossing railway lines. If this does not happen soon we will feel obliged to issue our own guidance for walkers."
Press coverage:
Support for countryside access code
Edinburgh Evening News
1July 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/archive.cfm?id=752082004
Ramblers' rail-crossing fight builds up steam
The Scotsman
9 July 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/archive.cfm?id=785772004
Background information:
Justice 1 Committee
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/justice1/index.htm
Submissions received by the Justice 1 Committee: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/justice1/inquiries-04/soac/j104-soac-00.htm
Proposed Scottish Outdoor Access Code: http://213.121.208.4/pdfs/access/access2.pdf
Information on the Code and the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland/access/Code/update2004.htm
Background on Network Rail crossing closures:
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland/Current%20Issues/networkrail.htm
The Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC) held its 4th public meeting on Wednesday 7 July at the Carlton Highland Hotel in Edinburgh. One of the items on the agenda was "Controlling risks at level crossings". The aim of the meeting was to allow the public an opportunity to meet high level, influential representatives from the rail industry, to discuss key issues affecting railway health and safety, and to raise the profile of the committee which provides advice to the Health and Safety Commission on high level, strategic health and safety issues affecting the rail network.
