§ MR. WARMINGTON (Monmouth, W.)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the danger and inconvenience of the level crossing of the Great Western Railway near Mr. Ward Williams' Foundry at Abertillery, Mon- 1018 mouthshire, and about 100 yards southeast of the Abertillery Station of this railway; whether it is a fact that already four persons have lost their lives at such crossing; whether he is aware that at the inquest upon the body of John Thomas, one of the persons killed at such crossing, the jury called the attention of the railway company to the want of gates at this level crossing, and that the company replied that the matter should be remedied; whether it is the fact, notwithstanding the reply of the company, the danger of the said crossing still continues; whether he is also aware that the foot passengers over such level crossing amount to an average of 1,000 (of whom 300 are children) during a day of 12 hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and whether the Board of Trade will take steps to compel the railway company to erect a foot and cart bridge over such level crossing, or to do such works as will reduce the danger of such crossing?
§ *SIR M. HICKS BEACHIt appears that there are two level crossings near Abertillery; one is a level crossing to the south-east of the station. We have no record, nor have the company, of any person having lost his life at that crossing. A footbridge exists for passengers, and there are level crossing gates and a man in charge. Under powers recently obtained from Parliament the Company are enabled to carry both the road and footpath under the line by a subway, and the works have recently been commenced. As the crossing has been reported to be dangerous, the Board of Trade will represent to the company the expediency of finishing these works without delay. There is another level crossing, called the Penybont Crossing, half a mile to the north of the station. The only death which has occurred at this crossing, and respecting which the Board of Trade have any information, is that of John Thomas, a trespasser, who was killed in 1876. This level crossing was handed over to the company by the Monmouthshire Company as a mere occupation level crossing, but the company have expressed their willingness to contribute to the expense of erecting a bridge. The Board of Trade have no powers of compulsion in the matter, but as this level crossing also is dangerous the Board of Trade will continue to press on 1019 the company the importance of the erection of a bridge independently of any contribution from the locality.