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WATCH: YouTuber calls for reopening of Highland rail crossing


By Gavin Musgrove

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A YouTuber is drawing more attention to the summer closure of the Ben Alder railway level crossing at Dalwhinnie and the impact the move is having.

Clive Parker runs a channel called 'Coffees, cakes and trains' on the social media platform as part of his railway hobby.

The channel features his journeys by train, items of railway interest, and old photos from his collection.

Mr Parker is also a regular hill-walker and member of Mountaineering Scotland and has used the crossing many times over the years.

He said he was completely taken aback by news of the closure and said the convenience of parking near the station or arriving by train for easy access to the stunning hills cannot be under-estimated.

The Ben Alder level-crossing provides access to the peak of the same name.
The Ben Alder level-crossing provides access to the peak of the same name.

Mr Parker told our sister paper the Strathy: "I have used the crossing a number of times, and indeed intended to do so as part of my participation in the Great Outdoors Challenge in May 2022

"On one occasion I took the train to Dalwhinnie with my Brompton folding bike, and managed to cycle all the way to Tulloch for the train home to Glasgow.

"It was a memorable day out.

"In spite of a petition gathering 9000 signatures, and representations from politicians, outdoor organisations, and local land-owners, Network Rail has refused to budge on their initial decision based on 'safety grounds' to close a crossing that has existed for over 150 years.

"They have severed what many regard as a right of way.

"So, I decided to see for myself the situation on the ground, and talk to local people about what they felt about the closure. The video is a result of that day out."

Local campaigners at the crossing to Ben Alder estate which has been used for decades without incident.
Local campaigners at the crossing to Ben Alder estate which has been used for decades without incident.

Network Rail bosses were urged in an autumn meeting with community leaders and outdoors groups to “deal with the reality” and create a safe railway level-crossing.

A host of representatives demanded that the rail network operator act at the Ben Alder crossing before there was a “catastrophe”.

Amongst those who raised serious concerns during the discussions were Dalwhinnie Community Council, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Highland Council, Ramblers Scotland, ScotWays, Ben Alder Estate and the Cairngorms Business Partnership.

They were in unison that the crossing locked at the end of July must be reinstated, and Network Rail’s action had created a greater danger.

They said that people – often with outdoors gear – were climbing over the gates to continue on their way and there would be a bigger risk of tragedy during the darker months especially when the evening LNER Azuma service passes.

Once again, claims were repeated that the new Hitachi train’s ‘silent’ horn had been the trigger for the decision – something denied by the rail operator.

Network Rail maintains that there are no public rights over the crossing – something repeatedly countered by public access campaigners.

They agreed at the meeting in mid-September to look at several options and to come back with potential resolutions.


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