§ 7. Sir Clive Bossomasked the Minister of Transport whether he will state his future intentions in regard to the introduction of half-barrier level crossings and give details of proposals made to him for the replacement of level crossings by bridges or tunnels.
§ Mr. MurrayWe will consider on their merits any applications made to us by the British Railways Board for the conversion of public level crossings to automatic half-barriers. Proposals for replacing public level crossings by bridges or tunnels are usually embodied in larger road schemes and details of all cases are not readily available.
§ Sir Clive BossomIs the Minister aware that the motoring public are deeply worried about the near-misses on many of these half-barrier level crossings? As the minimum cost of a new half-barrier level crossing is about £13,000, can he say what would be the approximate cost of a bridge or tunnel, which is 100 per cent. safe, when the new and faster trains come out next year?
§ Mr. MurrayAs the hon. Gentleman knows, the British Railways Board is working hard on conversions as a result of the Hixon Inquiry. The minimum cost of a bridge in rural areas is over £100,000. Two that are to be built in rural areas will each cost over £250,000. so they are expensive propositions.
§ Mr. ManuelWill my hon. Friend consider making approaches to the British Railways Board with the idea that on the busier public level crossings keepers should be employed, because this is a 100 per cent. guarantee against accidents.
§ Mr. MurrayCertainly, we will be prepared to put that point to the British Railways Board.
§ 11. Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Transport if he will change the wording of warning notices at automatic level crossings to make clear to drivers the categories of vehicles to which the obligation to telephone the signal box applies.
§ Mr. MurrayMandatory signs are now being erected at all automatic half-barrier level crossings which make it quite clear which drivers must telephone the signal box for permission to cross.
§ Sir R. RussellI thank the Minister for that reply, which clarifies the point that I had in mind.