Protestors threaten to escalate action at Ben Alder crossing if deadline is not met
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Organisers of the campaign to reopen Ben Alder level crossing at Dalwhinnie have given Network rail until the middle of this week before escalating their action to reinstate the access.
They recently contacted the network operator providing the deadline for this Wednesday (December 15).
Dalwhinnie Community Council chairwoman Jen Dickinson stated in the correspondence: "The community council and Ben Alder Estate have been very patient waiting to hear from anyone at Network Rail regarding the Ben Alder Crossing.
"We now require your decision regarding the installation of miniature stop lights (MSL) at Ben Alder crossing by December 15.
"If you fail to provide a definitive statement by this date which explains when MSLs will be installed at this crossing we will initiate a programme of protest, extending through 2022, until such time as the gates are unlocked on this crossing.
"This programme will be focussed initially on the operation of Azuma trains which we consider to be the primary reason for the gates being locked due to inadequate warning horns on Azuma trains."
The community council said the intention will be to compel all south bound Azuma trains to stop at Dalwhinnie station if Network Rail fails to instal MSLs at the crossing.
Ms Dickinson continued: "This will ensure that members of the public who continue to use this crossing by climbing over the locked gates, by right or custom, will be protected from southbound Azumas with their inadequate warning horns.
"In the event that LNER refuse to cooperate with this restriction, we will bring the necessary public and political pressure to bear on all the train and freight operating companies, as well as all maintenance traffic under Network Rail control, so that all trains are required to stop at Dalwhinnie station when using this line.
"Please keep in mind that your own regular risk assessment in February 2020 recommended the installation of MSLs at this crossing.
"I also understand that improvements of this nature were under consideration in the years before this risk assessment was carried out but were rejected by the train and freight operating companies.
"Furthermore I also understand in more recent discussions with these companies the train drivers have refused to cooperate with the procedures required for effective MSL operation at this location.
"In these circumstances I believe it is entirely justifiable for the community council and other stakeholders to embark on the programme of protest directed at LNER and the other train and freight operating companies if necessary.
"You are well aware of the difficulties caused by Network Rail’s action at this crossing when you closed the gates on 28 July without any consultation with our community council, the landowner or any other stakeholders.
"These difficulties were explored in detail at the meeting arranged by Network Rail with the community council and other stakeholders on 21 September.
"It is now 11 weeks since that meeting and you have still not been able to agree the record of that meeting with the community council and other stakeholders or appear to have carried out the necessary actions from that meeting."
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We are reviewing alternative options for Ben Alder, looking at the likely costs, timescales, and practicality of the potential works at the crossing.
“The options under review include new pathways and whether a technological solution can be implemented. The opening of the level crossing to the public is highly unlikely to be an outcome of this review.
=“Once complete, we will share the findings of the review with the local community and other stakeholders.”
