British Transport Police have concluded their investigation into an incident that disrupted the east coast railway line at Carnoustie, which occurred when a wall collapsed, spurred by activities involving a static caravan. On Thursday, train services between Dundee and Aberdeen were halted for around two hours following what was described as a serious breach of planning regulations. A digger, employed to manoeuvre the caravan into the owner's garden, inadvertently caused the wall to collapse onto the tracks.

The caravan in question, previously utilised as an Airbnb by the owner Tony Lindsay, has become a focal point of a protracted planning dispute. After losing a significant battle to keep the caravan on site for family accommodation, Mr Lindsay attempted to relocate it back into his garden amid concerns expressed by council roads officials. He admitted to "jumping the gun" while awaiting the outcome of another planning application, intended to convert the caravan into a storage space and a family snug. For months, the caravan had been situated on the roadway, prompting fears of removal by the local authorities.

On confirming the return to normal operations, Network Rail stated that they performed emergency clearing of the debris and erected a temporary barrier to secure the railway from any future hazards. The agency further reassured that there was no ongoing risk posed to rail services and noted that permanent repairs were forthcoming. The British Transport Police indicated that their involvement was wrapping up, with no criminal inquiries proceeding from the incident. Meanwhile, Police Scotland has yet to provide an update regarding the closure of their inquiries.

This incident follows a series of railway disruptions in Carnoustie and surrounding areas, highlighting broader safety concerns. Just weeks earlier, a family in Carnoustie had a narrow escape when a heavy metal clip from the railway line smashed through the window of their children’s playroom. Louise Stewart, the homeowner involved, has raised alarms about the potential dangers posed by railway infrastructure, prompting Network Rail to commit to addressing these issues comprehensively.

In a separate incident, the region faced additional railway disruptions due to a gas leak near the Carnoustie station. Damage to a gas main necessitated the suspension of train services, leading to temporary evacuations as engineers worked to repair the network. The combination of these occurrences underscores the challenges facing local transport and the importance of maintaining safety protocols to mitigate risks to both infrastructure and public safety.

Local authorities remain focused on the removal of the caravan from public thoroughfares, striving for a swift resolution to the disruptive situation. Angus Council stated that their aim is to facilitate the quickest possible removal of the caravan in collaboration with its owner, reflecting ongoing efforts to ensure community safety and adherence to planning regulations.

As the issue at Carnoustie unfolds, it continues to highlight the intersections of infrastructure integrity with public safety and local governance, calling for careful scrutiny of future actions and regulations governing similar scenarios.

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Source: Noah Wire Services