§ 31. Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Transport what action is to be taken as to the adequate lighting of level-crossing gates, in view of the expressed opinion of the jury at the inquest on the persons killed at Fenny Stratford?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)The inspecting officer of railways, who inquired into this accident on my behalf, came to the con 1828 clusion that the lighting of the level-crossing gates was adequate, and I do not propose to take any action with a view to securing an alteration in the existing lighting arrangements.
§ Mr. BROMLEYWould not the right hon. Gentleman consider it possibly fitting that he should see that drivers of road vehicles carrying passengers should also know the road, equally with the engine driver, who has to know the road before he is trusted to drive?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI understand, from the Report of my inspecting officer, that in this case the driver of the motor which had this unfortunate accident did know the road, and was well acquainted with it.
§ Mr. WELLSDoes not the Minister think, in view of the fact that there is now so much extra road traffic, that the gates at level crossings should be stronger and more efficient?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI do not think we are obliged to have the gates strong enough to prevent a motor from going through, which has got out of control.