A crash between a car and a train at a level crossing in Ayrshire yesterday has led to calls for the crossing to be made safer.
Two councillors claim that their appeals for barriers to be reinstated where the rail line to Ardrossan Harbour crosses the town's Princes Street have been ignored.
The accident happened as the 8.33am train from Glasgow Central was travelling the last few hundred yards into Ardrossan harbour.
A 59-year-old female passenger from the badly damaged car was taken to Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, where she was treated for a head injury, broken ribs, and a fractured ankle. She was detained for observation.
Passengers and crew left the Scotrail train without incident and it was taken back to Glasgow for inspection. The line to the ferry terminal was closed for two hours.
The crossing has no barriers but is controlled by warning signs, flashing lights, and a loud klaxon.
Councillor Margaret Munn, who represents Ardrossan South on North Ayrshire Council, said: ''This was an accident waiting to happen. When the crossing was downgraded and the barriers taken away we made representations for them to be put back. We have been told that the amount of train traffic does not justify a full barrier crossing at this site but surely this accident proves that one train is enough to pose a danger.''
Saltcoats councillor David Munn, who served on Cunninghame District Council when early representations were made, said: ''The time has come for a close look to be taken at the crossing.''
A Railtrack Scotland spokesman said that eight people who have ignored the warning lights at Ardrossan have been reported to the procurator-fiscal this year, and that special detection cameras are to be installed later this year.
Strathclyde Police confirmed last night that a man has been charged with road traffic offences and that a report has been submitted to the procurator-fiscal at Kilmarnock.
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