§ Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Transport what is the outcome of the discussions which he held with the Highways and Traffic Committee of the Road Haulage Association on the recommendations in the report of the inquiry into the Hixon level crossing disaster.
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§ Mr. MulleyThe exchange of views between my Department and the Road Haulage Association's Highways and Traffic Committee has been helpful to both sides towards understanding the detailed problems involved in implementing the Inquiry's recommendations. I am grateful for the suggestions put forward by the Road Haulage Association from its experience and knowledge of the operation of heavy road vehicles. Some technical points raised by the Road Haulage Association, which do not of themselves affect the Regulations and the traffic signs now being installed, are being given further consideration, and the Association has been assured that the effect of the modified installations and procedure will be carefully watched and any difficulties will be immediately considered; the Association has itself undertaken to help with observations on these crossings. A particular outcome of these discussions has been that the Association has offered to help in making known to goods vehicle drivers the layout and procedures at automatic half-barrier level crossings; I am very grateful to it for doing this.