Dingwall rail crossing work is delayed until the autumn
A MAJOR upgrade of level crossings in Dingwall has been pushed back to later in the year.
Network Rail recently announced plans to install full barriers on two crossings amid a spate of close calls involving trespassing pedestrians and cars.
But the work to install full barriers on Dingwall Middle crossing and the Dingwall No.1 site, which had been expected this summer, will now mostly be carried out in October and November to allow for additional design work.
However, motorists who had hoped to avoid summer road closures will not be spared all of the original disruption.
Vegetation will need to be cleared to make space for the new equipment, and this preparatory work will begin next week. As a result, Newton Road will be closed from July 19 at 7am to July 22 at 11am. And Dingwall No.1 in Craig Road will be shut from 7am on August 2 to 11am on August 5.
Final installation and testing of the new barriers will also require fortnight-long road closures at both sites – Dingwall Middle from October 15 to 29 and Dingwall No.1 from October 29 to November 12.
David Dickson, infrastructure director for Network Rail Scotland, said: "These level crossing upgrades represent a significant improvement for rail and road safety.
"Our consultation work with the local community earlier this year indicated support for these improvements and we look forward to seeing them delivered.
"Our aim is to deliver this work with as little disruption as possible, however, we will require two short closures this summer plus two week road closures for each crossing to install and test the new equipment this autumn."
Train services are not expected to be affected by any of the works.
