HC Deb 10 February 1899 vol 66 cc655-6
MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now considered the many representations made to him complaining of the loss of time and the inconvenience and delay caused at Atherstone level crossing, where hundreds of trains are daily required to reduce their speed to four miles an hour, owing to the injunction obtained by the Warwickshire County Council; and whether he will recommend that this level crossing should be closed, and that traffic pass by the subway, or a bridge be constructed over the railway?

MR. NEWDIGATE (Warwickshire, Nuneaton)

Before the right honourable Gentleman answers the Question I wish to ask him one of which I have sent him private notice—namely, whether he is aware that on more than one occasion during the last few years numerously-signed petitions have been presented to the London and North western Railway Company from the inhabitants of Atherstone and the surrounding neighbourhood, pointing out the great inconvenience and danger of this crossing; and is it not the fact that the cost of a bridge would probably be only £10,000, or, at the out side, £13,000; and whether the Lon don and North-Western Railway Company—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The honourable Member is exceeding the proper limits of a Question.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) Croydon

The Board of Trade are fully aware of the inconvenience to both the travelling public and to the road traffic by the unfortunate dispute between the London and North-Western Railway and the County Council. The Board have no powers in the matter, and the County Council have obtained a decision of a Court of Law in their favour.

MR. CHANNING

In the event of similar cases arising will the right honourable Gentleman consider the possibility of acquiring powers of dealing with them by legislation?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE

I do not think there is anything which has come to my knowledge to justify me in asking the House to change the law with regard to this thing.