Anger over rail crossing closures

Network Rail could close hundreds of private crossings

A plan to prevent people from using private level crossings across Scotland has been met with anger by countryside campaigners.

Network Rail, which runs Britain's rail infrastructure, could close about 600 level crossings which it claims are on private land.

It defends the move as an important step to improve safety.

But the Ramblers' Association said the closure programme would prevent thousands of people gaining access to huge tracts of Scotland.

Unauthorised access

Network Rail caused outrage earlier this month when one level crossing at Walnut Grove on the outskirts of Perth was padlocked so it could not be used by walkers.

A statement from the company said: "Network Rail's primary concern is the operational safety of the rail network and as such safety will not be compromised.

"Railway legislation dating back to 1845 does not allow the level crossing at Walnut Grove to be used for a public right of way, access rights being granted only to the landowner.

"We would be failing our corporate responsibility by not preventing unauthorised access of our infrastructure."

The company also stressed it was anxious to minimise safety risks in the wake of the Hatfield crash, which led to corporate manslaughter charges against former Railtrack directors,

We are appalled at the dictatorial way in which Network Rail in Scotland is behaving. Alison Mitchell Ramblers' Association

Network Rail regional manager Jo McGowan said on BBC Radio Scotland that the company was looking to prevent the general public from using up to 599 existing private crossings.

She said it would regard "unauthorised" use of such crossings as criminal trespass which could carry a fine of up to £1000.

However, the Ramblers' Association Scotland said it could restrict access to sites across Scotland, including the entire Monadhliath mountain range, to the west of the Inverness line.

Alison Mitchell, chairman of the association, said the group was saddened and angered at the decision.

She said: "We are appalled at the dictatorial way in which Network Rail in Scotland is behaving.

"It has embarked on a major policy initiative without any consideration of how this will affect other public interests.

Rights of way

"It has closed crossings without consulting the emergency services, local communities, local authorities or the organisations that represent walkers, cyclists or horse riders.

"They appear to be in a time-warp, quoting 19th century railway legislation to justify a closure programme which will cut off access to huge tracts of Scotland for thousands of people."

She said she hoped the matter would be brought before the Westminster and Scottish governments.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We are looking at the situation.

"The crossings belong to landowners and are not public rights of way. If there was an accident on one of these it would be us that would be held responsible.

"We have the support of the Health and Safety Executive on this issue."