Commenting on Reports Broughty Ferry Level Crossing has Highest Number of Recorded Offences

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I am alarmed to hear that statistics revealed by British Transport Police show that the Broughty Ferry Level Crossing has the highest number of recorded offences in Scotland. I understand that most of these offences have arisen because drivers and pedestrians have been ignoring the flashing warning lights and dodging the barriers at the Gray Street Level Crossing. This is reckless and endangers life and limb of the pedestrians and drivers involved and of course rail passengers, railway staff as well as other road users.

British Transport Police have increased their number of mobile vans with CCTV and I have previously welcomed their more intensive surveillance of our level crossing.  I had hoped that that more visits by the mobile monitoring units would eventually ensure more compliance with the Highway Code and safety first.

In the interests of health and safety at the level crossing I support zero tolerance of the kinds of incidents that have been recorded of folk trying to 'beat the crossing barriers' as they fall.

I am concerned that continuing irresponsible and careless behaviour by drivers and pedestrians may lead Network Rail to apply to close the level crossing. What might solve their concerns would have serious consequences for the future of central Broughty Ferry. Bearing in mind that all the other entry points to our central area are over bridges or under the railway at St Vincent Street, if the level crossing were closed it would be more difficult to drive into and out of our shopping centre. As a result, trading conditions for shops and services might become even more challenging.

So I hope that reckless drivers and pedestrians should take heed of the warnings from British Transport Police about the dangers of trying to beat the barrier. This is not only for the sake of their own safety and others whose life and limb is put at risk but also for retaining the historic public access over the railway at the level crossing.