Housing development sees Scotland’s last open rail crossing …

SCOTLAND’S last automatic open railway level-crossing has been upgraded as part of the conditions behind planning permission to build 75 homes in Aviemore. Access to Scotia Homes’ development off Dalfaber Drive passes directly over the crossing, with the agreement requiring the upgrade to take place before any homeowners move into the development.

The Dalfaber Level Crossing was created as part of the Dalfaber Development in the early 1980s. Scotia Homes contracted SYSTRA to design, project manage, and provide site support for the upgrade. W M Donald Limited carried out the upgrade with support from the Strathspey Railway Company.

The upgrade includes half barriers having been installed, a new road surface, railway track, road traffic light signals, rail signals, a control equipment building, power supply, signage, fencing, upgraded footways, and street lighting. Highland Council convener, councillor Bill Lobban, said, “At long last the local community’s safety concerns over this ‘open’ level crossing have been recognised. After several death-defying crashes and innumerable near misses the introduction of safety barriers is very welcome.

“The council and the Strathspey Railway Company have been committed to upgrading this crossing for many years and we welcome the financial contribution of Scotia Homes which allowed this to happen.

The SRC and main contractor W M Donald should be highly complemented for the efforts they made to minimise disruption during the construction phase and for the speedy completion of the works.

Hopefully it is now full steam ahead for the summer season.”