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Friday 23 Sep 2011

NEW CAMERA VAN TO TARGET ABUSE OF SCOTLAND’S LEVEL CROSSINGS

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

• Justice Secretary joins Network Rail and British Transport Police to launch new CCTV police van to tackle motorists who misuse rail crossings

Cutting-edge camera technology is being introduced by Network Rail and the British Transport Police to crack down on drivers who risk safety by abusing Scotland’s level crossings.

Network Rail has funded a purpose-built, marked police van to be fitted with nine cameras, each of which uses number plate recognition technology to deter motorists from breaking the law.

The van is operated by British Transport Police officers and has instant access to all the police computer systems required to process prosecutions as soon as offences are recorded.

The new van will be officially launched this morning at Glasgow Central, Scotland’s busiest station, by the Scottish Government’s Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill MSP, Network Rail’s route managing director for Scotland, David Simpson, and Chief Superintendent Ellie Bird, area commander for the Scotland area of BTP.

The introduction of the van in Scotland follows a successful pilot project carried out by the BTP and Network Rail in south east England which recorded 1550 offences between February and September 2011.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill MSP, said: “Drivers and pedestrians who deliberately ignore traffic signals not only put their own, and other peoples lives at risk, but they also commit a criminal offence and are doing so in increasing numbers. This Government therefore welcomes the significant increase that this new vehicle will bring to British Transport Police’s detection capabilities and the contribution this new vehicle will bring in creating a safer Scotland.”

David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, added: “Driver misuse of level crossings is one of the biggest external risks to rail safety. We regularly see drivers ignoring warning lights at crossings or attempting to beat barriers as they come down – resulting in damage to our infrastructure and delays to train services.

“This new camera van will be a strong deterrent for anyone thinking about breaking the law at a level crossing and will help the police secure convictions against those who insist on risking their own safety and the safety of others.”

Chief Superintendent Ellie Bird said: “We welcome the introduction of the new camera van which, with its state-of-the art equipment, will be an invaluable additional resource in combating the selfish and dangerous misuse by drivers seen at level crossings.

“BTP, and its rail industry partners, remains committed to promoting the safe use of level crossings and the public should be aware that this van will become a familiar site at level crossings across the whole of Scotland. Anyone detected flouting the law can be assured their offences may be recorded and they will find themselves being reported to the local Procurator Fiscal.”