Network Rail has implemented safety improvements at a Highland level crossing – a decade after a horror crash there which killed two teenagers.
A new half barrier system is now operational at Delny level crossing, near Invergordon, where Alan Thain and Paul Oliver, both 17, were killed after their car was driven into the Inverness to Wick train.
Car driver Richard Fleming, who was 18 at the time of the incident, was given a five-year jail sentence for causing death by dangerous driving.
Local politicians welcomed the news, but insisted the safety work should have been done much sooner.
Jamie Stone MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said: “This is something I have been arguing for for a number of years since the tragic accident there, including the time I was an MSP.
“Although this is welcome, the fact it’s taken this long is a concern to me. I would have thought work would have been done years ago.
“My argument was that the crossing was inherently unsafe and I do hope in the future they can do this more quickly.
“It would have been helpful if local people were more fully informed on what was happening, and lessons could be learned from this because public confidence in Network Rail is crucial and this only serves to undermine it.”
Mr Thain’s angry father, Sandy, said in June that the 10-year delay to create the barriers was “ridiculous.”
Alan Thain died in hospital five days after the incident, which happened on February 2, 2007. His friend, Paul Oliver, died at the scene.
Work began to install the safety barriers at Delny in late June this year, and the road was closed for a week earlier this month to enable completion.
The national rail operator is still developing plans to remove the Delny crossing entirely from the railway and replace it with a bridge.
Gail Ross, SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire, said: “I am delighted to see that work has now been completed on the Delny crossing and the road has reopened again.
“This is a major improvement to the crossing and I thank all who were involved in bringing the improvement to fruition.”
Tom Anderson, chairman of Kilmuir and Easter Logie Community Council, added: “The community is quite happy with the current arrangements and it’s well signposted and clear. They’ve done a good job.”
