§ Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Transport (1) in each of the last 10 years how many accidents have occurred at automatic half barrier level crossings involving injury or death; and what the figures were for each of these years;
(2) how many automatic level crossings with half barriers have been operational in Great Britain on a convenient date in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. John Morris:Following is the information:
Year Number of Automatic Half Barrier Level Crossings operating on 31st December Number of Road/Rail Accidents involving injury or death Number of persons killed Number of persons injured 1958 … — — — — 1959 … — — — — 1960 … — — — — 1961 … 2 — — — 1962 … 4 — — — 1963 … 4 — — — 1964 … 16 — — — 1965 … 50 1 — 2 1966 … 125 — — — 1967 … 207† 1 1 — 1968* … 209† 3 13‡ 52‡ * Up to 31st January, 1968 only. † Includes 2 crossings on which lines have since been closed. ‡ Includes 11 passengers and railway staff killed and 51 injured in accident at Hixon.