§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Minister of Transport whether he will examine the details of an accident in thick fog on 11th 291W October involving a train and farm tractor at Checkerhouse private crossing, Ranby, near Retford, with a view to determining whether or not horns or other audible means of warning that they are approaching crossings should be provided on railway trains in the interests of industrial safety.
§ Mr. MurrayThe driving cabs of all trains are fitted with two-tone horns, and these are sounded to warn people that the train is approaching. They are sounded on the approach to stations to warn passengers on platforms and if the driver sees men working on the line. At places where there is likely to be a particular risk, such as at level crossings at which the intervisibility is less than normal, whistle boards are provided at the lineside as an instruction to drivers to sound their horns. Drivers also often sound their horns where no whistle board is provided, especially under conditions of bad visibility.
The visibility of the lines from both sides of Checkerhouse occupation level crossing is excellent in clear weather and no whistle boards are provided. This accident at the crossing was the subject of an inquiry by the railway authorities, but it is not known if the driver sounded his horns on approaching the crossing. I understand that he has not yet recovered from the effects of the accident and thus has not been questioned on this point.