§ Mr. Goldieasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the congestion of traffic at the Wilderspool level crossings on the main Warrington to Chester and Knutsford roads, whereof complaint has been previously made to his Department, has been greatly increased by war conditions; and whether he will make immediate representations to the railway company with a view to ensuring that the gates at these level crossings are only closed when absolutely necessary and in order to reduce as far as possible the periods for which the gates are left closed?
§ Sir J. ReithA scheme for bridging this level crossing had been approved and a grant of 75 per cent. promised. The work was unavoidably postponed by the war. I am assured, however, by the railway company concerned that the gates of the 1153W Wilderspool level crossing are closed to road traffic only when necessary for the passage of railway traffic, the war-time increase of which inevitably necessitates more frequent closing of the gates.