§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the discussions between his Department, the National Farmers' Union and the British Railways Board, about additional safety measures at private farm level crossings.
§ Mr. MarshAs a result of this series of discussions, in which the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also participated, a basis has been agreed for a programme of safety improvements at some of the private level crossings used only by farmers or landowners and their invitees. The vast majority of these crossings are little used accesses between fields, where the existing gates are adequate protection.
In a letter to the National Farmers' Union today, the Railways Board, while making it clear that their statutory liabilities are in no way altered, have confirmed they are ready to make an ex gratia payment of up to £20,000 a year for the next five years towards the cost of additional safety measures at some of these private crossings, subject to certain conditions—namely:
- (i) there must be a contribution from the farmer or landowner in each case, usually 50 per cent., though the proportion may vary according to the particular circumstances;
- (ii) the total of farmer/landowner contributions in any one year must equal the Board's total contribution;
- (iii) there must be some benefit to railway safety.
The Railways Board and the National Farmers' Union are now drawing up a work programme for the first year.