Rail crossing probe finds problem

An investigation has pinpointed a problem with a railway crossing that has been at the centre of a safety row.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said Network Rail found a battery for train detection gear at Bunchrew, near Inverness, was losing power.

Complaints from people who regularly use the crossing, which has warning lights but no barriers, instigated the probe.

Network Rail had previously said the crossing was safe.

But those who regularly use it believed faults with the lights were to blame for accidents and near misses.

"ORR will continue to monitor performance at the crossing and we note that there have been no further failures from this cause since remedial action was taken"
Office of Rail Regulation spokesman

Resident Tina Marshall said some people lived their lives by the train timetable to avoid using the crossing whenever a service was due.

She accused Network Rail of dismissing complaints about the site.

Nationalist MSP for the Highlands, Dave Thompson, also raised concerns about the crossing in the Scottish Parliament.

ORR said it met with Network Rail Scotland, who own and operate the country's rail infrastructure, last month.

The meeting also looked at what work was still needed - as well as what had already been done - to improve the safety and reliability of the crossing.

A spokesman for ORR said: "The immediate cause of the failures was exhaustion of the battery power supply to track circuits, with underlying causes relating to local factors at the crossing and possibly the particular batch of batteries.

"The track circuits are used for train detection and thereby initiate crossing operation."

He added: "Network Rail have reassessed the demand made on the supplies at Bunchrew and have increased the frequency at which the batteries are replaced and are taking other steps to ensure that the problem does not recur.

"ORR will continue to monitor performance at the crossing and we note that there have been no further failures from this cause since remedial action was taken."

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We have worked closely with the ORR throughout their investigation at Bunchrew level crossing and will be incorporating their recommendations into our regular maintenance regime."

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