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MR. J. G. TALBOT moved to add, at the end of Standing Order No. 13—
(Notice to Owners and Lessees of Railways, Tramways, or Canals crossed, affected, or interfered with by proposed Tramway.)
On or before the 15th day of December immediately preceding the application for any Bill for laying down a Tramway crossing any Bail-way or Tramway on the level, or crossing any Railway, Tramway, or Canal by means of a Bridge, or otherwise affecting or interfering with such Railway, Tramway, or Canal, Notice in writing of such application shall be served upon the Owner or reputed Owner, and upon the Lessee or reputed Lessee of such Railway, Tramway, or Canal, and such Notice shall state the place or places at which the plans of the Tramway to be authorised by such Bill have been or will be deposited.
The Select Committee of the House of Lords on Tramways had recently made a Report which contained the following recommendation:—
Notices ought also to be served on Railway Companies in all cases in which it is proposed to cross their lines upon the level, or to lay Tramways over any of their bridges; and the attention of the Board of Trade ought also to be called to such cases, in order that they may be especially reported upon by the Inspectors of the Board.
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It appeared that in one case, in regard to the Midland Railway Company, the Company received no intimation that their line was to be crossed by a Tramway until they were actually informed that their lines were to be cut for the purpose. Mr. Allport, the Manager of the Midland Railway Company, in his evidence before the Committee of the House of Lords, said—
It may have teen an oversight; but last Session without any notice, or without the cognizance of the solicitor of the Midland Rail-way Company, a Tramway Company obtained power to construct a Tramway across the main line of the Midland Railway, and on the level between Gloucester and Bristol.
The Tramway was the Gloucester Tramway, authorized by a Provisional Order. It was considered only reasonable, to guard against such surprises in future, that notice should be required to be given; and he, therefore, begged to move this addition to the Standing Order.
§ Motion agreed to.