Signs go up in fight for retention of Dalwhinnie right of way
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Campaigners aiming to keep a right of way open at the controversial Ben Alder railway crossing at Dalwhinnie were left unimpressed by the latest online meeting on the dispute.
There was also disappointment that the promised face to face with Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth at last Wednesday’s discussion was cancelled by her at the last minute.
“It was an unavoidable situation, we were told,” said Dalwhinnie community council chair Jen Dickinson.
The meeting, chaired by Alistair Young, of Transport Scotland, was however attended by several TS and Network Rail officials, along with representatives from the Cairngorms National Party Authority, Highland Council, Ben Alder Estate, Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes’ office and right of way lobbyists ScotWays and the Ramblers.
Ms Dickinson told the Strathy it was doubly disappointing that a scheduled 30-minute meeting was more or less a presentation from Network Rail, which has been accused of blocking a historic right of way with its fence and gate at the level crossing.
“We were asked not to interrupt while Network Rail gave a presentation. It ate up most of the meeting time with information we had heard before – twice.”
Representatives from the rail company delivered a 20-minute talk on the history of the closure and their safety obligations.
“We had heard most of it before, although there were one or two new additions in that they did recognise the land owner and planning permissions, as well as costs, rule out many alternatives they may have preferred previously.
“They continually referred to having no funding for any possible alternatives and that they had no legal obligation.”
Ms Dickinson added: “We had six minutes of time to raise our concerns in total.
“To be honest, I was very frustrated and disheartened after the meeting as they just refused to engage with us.”
But the Network Rail representatives had acknowledged the issue had been poorly handled, Ms Dickinson reported.
“They apologised a few times but couldn’t, wouldn’t, didn’t answer my question why, when Alex Hynes (Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway) and Innes Keith (Network Rail Scotland director of safety) met in September at the crossing, they did not ask to meet with the community council, or the private crossing users.
“And no minutes from the meeting were ever made public.
“We only know of its taking place through someone who is a member of one of the bodies that it was circulated to.”
There was a consolation at last week’s meeting, she said, in that Mr Young had reported that the Transport Minister still wants to meet with the community representatives.
The campaigners have posted their own signs at the crossing, underpass and car parks of Dalwhinnie businesses.
The call for the restoration of the long-established drovers route has gone on display at The Dalwhinnie Service station, Loch Ericht Hotel and restaurant and The Apiary cafe in the village.
