§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Minister of Transport whether, in the light of the proposed closure of Swanage Railway Station and the difficulty of access to that town, she will now speed up the removal of Wareham Level Crossing.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe possible closure of Swanage Railway Station will not124W enable the level crossing at Wareham Station to be removed.
I understand that British Railways Board and the highway and local authorities concerned are preparing plans to convert the crossing to automatic operation and to improve the road approaches; these should result in a saving of four-fifths of the road traffic delays. If they decide to go ahead, the Railways Board must apply to my right hon. Friend for an Order authorising a change of protection at the crossing. In considering any such application she will take account of all the issues involved and will certainly pay full regard to the road traffic situation.
§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Minister of Transport on how many occasions per week the level crossing gates at Wareham are closed; what is the average length of time for which it is closed; and what, on average, is the number of motor vehicles held up at peak hours in August.
§ Mr. John MorrisThis information is not available. It would be for Dorset County Council, as highway authority, to carry out any survey of road traffic conditions at this level crossing.