What is certain is that many drivers continue to be prosecuted for failing to stop at the red light, and a considerable proportion of these are drivers who have reached a significant age with no blemish whatsoever on their licences.

In an attempt to enlighten Angus councillors, who are due to discuss the crossing in August, local campaigner Howard Evans has used his professional skills to produce a lengthy and detailed examination of the crossing and its approaches, which he presented earlier this week to Councillors Helen Oswald, Peter Murphy and Ralph Palmer.

Mr Evans notes a significant difference between the Station Road crossing and the one in Grey Street, Broughty Ferry.

"On-site signal staff forcefully monitor the Carnoustie crossing for motorists who are deemed to violate the warning-lights. This is in contrast to the much busier Broughty Ferry crossing, where the far lower number of prosecutions are instigated by Transport Police on the few occasions they take up monitoring positions. Clearly, if Network Rail were to apply its policy evenly and fairly, all high-risk crossings would be equally monitored."

The report continues: "By far the problem most identified by motorists is the simple visibility of the lights. From the north side (Station Road) a low sun, particularly shining onto a wet road, is identified as the key factor."

The reports recommends Network Rail to review policy in regard to the way Carnoustie Signal Box personnel report violations.

And Mr Evans concludes, with a comment that will be warmly welcomed by many local motorists: "Angus Council should demand that Network Rail publicly withdraw their earlier claim that 'Carnoustie Is The Third Most Abused Rail Crossing In Scotland'. By Network Rail's own admission, other much busier and higher-risk crossings are more abused. It is just that only the most serious violations are prosecuted at those junctions, while at Carnoustie every possible violation is reported."

Full story in this week's Guide & Gazette.