Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he is taking to protect the level 206W crossing at Funtham's Lane, near Whittle-sea, where a fatal accident took place on 27th April, 1958, by automatically operated half-barriers, as recommended in the official report on the accident.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe level crossing at Funtham's Lane is an occupation crossing leading to two brickfields. The road over the crossing is not legally a public thoroughfare but is used extensively by commercial motor traffic, which has steadily grown in recent years. Following the Inspecting Officer's report on this accident, immediate steps were taken by the British Transport Commission to erect a new warning notice board on the approach to the crossing from the main road and to make other alterations as recommended in the report. As regards the crossing itself, plans and estimates for two alternative schemes, providing in the one case for automatic half-barriers and in the other for full barriers operated by gatemen, have been prepared and are now under consideration by the Commission. If arrangements can be made to provide automatic half-barriers it would be necessary for the Commission to seek special powers from Parliament. I will do my best to facilitate whichever solution is found suitable.