Scotsman gets action on railway crossings

Published on 29/11/2007 00:06

ALL motorists who drive through red lights at level crossings are being prosecuted once more after the issue was highlighted by The Scotsman.

Network Rail has increased police funding to ensure film from enforcement cameras at eight crossings in Scotland is processed within the required 14 days.

The Scotsman revealed last year that many drivers who ran red lights were escaping prosecution because of a funding dispute.

From April 2005, film was collected only when an incident was reported. In August of this year, Network Rail said film was again being routinely collected, but still not regularly enough to ensure all drivers were prosecuted.

The firm now says the problem has been resolved after it was raised by The Scotsman.

The cameras are at Cornton, near Stirling; Kirknewton, West Lothian; Kingsknowe, Edinburgh; Ardrossan, Ayrshire; and Garve, Wester Ross. There are also three at Dingwall.

Superintendent Ronnie Mellis, area commander for British Transport Police in Scotland, said: "We welcome the decision to support the reinstatement of the full policing operation, which will ensure even more offenders are detected."