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Wednesday 3 Aug 2005

PHOTOCALL: MSP HELPS STOP LEVEL CROSSINGS ABUSE IN ITS TRACKS

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Date:                           4 August 2005 Time:                          2pm Location:                    Dundee Signalling Centre Event:                         MSP Shona Robison signals for safer driving at level crossings Media contact:          Donna Reid, 0141 555 4109 MSP Shona Robison will visit railway signallers in Dundee on Thursday as part of Network Rail’s crackdown on dangerous driving at level crossings. CCTV and improved awareness of safety have helped drive down the number of offences in Scotland, notably in Broughty Ferry. But the number of incidents in other areas including nearby Carnoustie is still cause for concern, with some motorists continuing to drive through red lights and even dodging the barriers. Mrs Robison said: “It’s great to see residents in Broughty Ferry leading the way in safe use of level crossings, but there are still too many people in other areas ignoring the warning signs and red lights. “I look forward to talking to Network Rail signallers to get a first hand account of the problem and working with them to get the message across that every time a driver jumps the lights, they run the risk of causing a fatal accident.” The Carnoustie crossing is one of several in Scotland set to benefit from CCTV cameras in the near future. The cameras deter dangerous driving and can provide evidence to prosecute those who put others’ lives at risk. Peter Leppard, Network Rail Route Director for Scotland, added: “Abuse of level crossings is still the biggest risk to safety on the railways and it’s vital each crossing is used properly. We’d like to thank residents, Shona Robison and the local media for helping get the message across in Broughty Ferry over the last year and we hope other districts will follow their example.”