A level crossing upgraded by SYSTRA opens in Scotland

This event, at the beginning of April, marked the culmination of two and a half years of coordinated work by SYSTRA’s Level Crossings team in York, UK to upgrade the previous Automatic Open Crossing, the last crossing of its kind in Scotland, to a new Automatic Half Barrier Crossing (Locally Monitored) on the heritage Strathspey Railway.

Following an initial project stage to define and approve the appropriate crossing type for the usage and unique asset ownership, SYSTRA was responsible for the detailed design which involved a wide range of disciplines including Level Crossings, Civils, Track, M&E, Highways and Drainage, Geotechnics, Site Services, Project Management, Planning and Document Control.

A safer environment for travel

This upgrade provides a safer environment for the travelling public and includes a new road surface, footpath, railway track, road traffic light signals, rail signals, control equipment building, power supply, signage, fencing and streetlighting.

A variety of project stakeholders

Stakeholder management was a big challenge in this project and SYSTRA worked with a team made up of people from five different organisations: SYSTRA, Scotia Homes, Strathspey Railway, The Highland Council and, at a later stage, the Principal Contractor, WM Donald. Early, and continued, engagement with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) ensured this Project progressed smoothly through the ORR Statutory Consultation process to a successful culmination.

John Lowe, SYSTRA Principal Consultant (Level Crossings)