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Rail crossing cameras unchecked Rail crossing cameras unchecked
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of drivers who weaved through level-crossing barriers have escaped prosecution because of a funding row.Hundreds of drivers who weaved through level-crossing barriers have escaped prosecution because of a funding row.
Network Rail installed barriers in 2007 at six sites across Scotland. They then paid British Transport Police to enforce their operation. Network Rail installed cameras in 2000 at six sites across Scotland. They then paid British Transport Police to enforce their operation.
But BBC Scotland has leant that the funding was pulled and drivers who were photographed jumping the lights had not been prosecuted. However, BBC Scotland has learned that the funding was pulled and drivers who were photographed jumping the lights had not been prosecuted.
Both organisations said they had now reversed that policy.Both organisations said they had now reversed that policy.
The funding row came to light after figures about the cameras were obtained under Freedom of Information legislation.The funding row came to light after figures about the cameras were obtained under Freedom of Information legislation.
PEOPLE CAUGHT AT CROSSINGS 2004 - 638 prosecutions2005 - 563 prosecutions2006 - 67 (Jan to March)2006 - 5 (April to Dec)PEOPLE CAUGHT AT CROSSINGS 2004 - 638 prosecutions2005 - 563 prosecutions2006 - 67 (Jan to March)2006 - 5 (April to Dec)
The six sites are in Ardrosan, Cornton, Garve, Kirknewton, Kingsknowe and Dingwall. The six sites are in Ardrossan, Cornton, Garve, Kirknewton, Kingsknowe and Dingwall.
They revealed that between October 2003 and March 2006, prosecutions were averaging 49 a month.They revealed that between October 2003 and March 2006, prosecutions were averaging 49 a month.
But during the rest of 2006, there were just five. However, during the rest of 2006 there were just five.
The crossing with one of the highest rate of drivers being caught was at Cornton Road in Bridge of Allan, Stirling.The crossing with one of the highest rate of drivers being caught was at Cornton Road in Bridge of Allan, Stirling.
Bruce Crawford, MSP for Stirling, told the BBC Scotland news website: "You get people zigzagging through these gates and you've obviously got a real compromise on public safety and that should be the things that's uppermost in either the British Transport Police's mind or Network Rail."Bruce Crawford, MSP for Stirling, told the BBC Scotland news website: "You get people zigzagging through these gates and you've obviously got a real compromise on public safety and that should be the things that's uppermost in either the British Transport Police's mind or Network Rail."
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST Figures from British Transport Police [768KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereFREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST Figures from British Transport Police [768KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
After enforcement was withdrawn, the industry ran an advertising campaign urging people not to 'run the risk' at level crossings.After enforcement was withdrawn, the industry ran an advertising campaign urging people not to 'run the risk' at level crossings.
But throughout, the law was not being enforced. However, the law was not being enforced.
Ron McAulay, Scotland director of Network Rail, insisted: "Safety has never been compromised at these crossings. Ron McAulay, Scotland director of Network Rail, said: "Safety has never been compromised at these crossings.
"Our cameras are there as an additional deterrent. The crossing itself, all crossings in Scotland, are safe. They're safe if they're used properly.""Our cameras are there as an additional deterrent. The crossing itself, all crossings in Scotland, are safe. They're safe if they're used properly."
Unions have been convinced that the policy change was driven by a desire to save money, but Network Rail insisted that was not the case. Unions have been convinced that the policy change was driven by a desire to save money but Network Rail insisted that was not the case.
Six crossings sites across Scotland have safety camerasSix crossings sites across Scotland have safety cameras
Phil McGarry from the RMT said: "It's a not-for-profit organisation but some £14m is spent daily by Network Rail, some ten billion has been taken out of the industry to line the pockets of the privateers." Phil McGarry of the RMT union said: "It's a not-for-profit organisation but some £14m is spent daily by Network Rail, some 10 billion has been taken out of the industry to line the pockets of the privateers."
Supt Ronnie Mellis, from British Transport Police, said: "We were still attending the sites and we always had the capability to prosecute someone. Supt Ronnie Mellis, of British Transport Police, said: "We were still attending the sites and we always had the capability to prosecute someone.
"It was simply a case that the timescales in terms of the legal requirements for us to identify a driver and prosecute them are very tight and you've got to attend the sites on a frequent basis in order to prosecute everyone.""It was simply a case that the timescales in terms of the legal requirements for us to identify a driver and prosecute them are very tight and you've got to attend the sites on a frequent basis in order to prosecute everyone."