§ MR. CHANNINGI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company have stated in their reply to the Board how soon they propose to acquire land for footbridges at the Nelson level crossings under their Act of this year; whether he proposes to make any local inquiry, by an Inspector or otherwise, as to the advisability of having two 1201 bridges or one; whether he will urge on the company the necessity of removing this source of danger to the public at the earliest moment; whether the Board of Trade have made repeated representations to the company as to several other level crossings on their lines at which accidents have occurred; and whether the several dangerous level crossings as to which representations have been made to the company have now been provided with bridges in pursuance of the recommendations of the Board?
MR. MUNDELLAI have received a communication from the Railway Company in which they state that they cannot say how soon they will acquire the necessary land; but they will re-open negotiations with the Nelson Corporation at the earliest opportunity to determine whether one footbridge in lieu of two will be sufficient, and the proportion of the cost which should be contributed by the Corporation. The Board of Trade will be prepared to use their good offices to bring about a settlement of these questions. The Board have from time to time made representations to the Railway Company as to several level crossings on their lines, and I understand that during the last 11 years the company have substituted no less than 28 bridges in lieu of public road crossings, and 28 footbridges in lieu of footpath crossings.
§ MR. CHANNINGThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the second paragraph of my question, as to whether a local inquiry is to be held?
§ MR. CHANNINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that three fatal accidents have occurred at this crossing within the last 18 months?