§ Mr. JanmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the location of automatic half-barrier level crossings in the United Kingdom, which are situated in residential commuter areas, and which are adjacent to a commuter line railway station where no pedestrian footbridge is provided over the road.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe information is not available in the form requested. I wrote to my hon. Friend on 19 January giving examples of automatic half-barrier level crossings which are on main routes and used by children.
§ Mr. JanmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the expected average and peak pedestrian, including children, and vehicle usage rates for the proposed automatic half-barrier level crossing to be installed on Princess Margaret road, adjacent to East Tilbury station in Thurrock.
§ Mr. David MitchellA census taken over a period of nine days in February last year showed that the peak pedestrian, child and vehicles usage at the crossing in a period of 15 minutes did not exceed 84, 46 and 176 respectively. The average usage during any period of 15 minutes between 0600 and 2400 on the same day was 16, 4 and 67.
I wrote to my hon. Friend on 19 January enclosing an extract from the Department's safety requirements for automatic half-barriers (AHB). He will be aware from this that the number of vehicles using the crossing is not a condition for suitability which has to be satisfied for the selection of AHB.
§ Mr. JanmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the average and peak rates of pedestrian usage and vehicle usage per hour over522W automatic half-barrier level crossings in the United Kingdom; and how many of the 330 in existence are within 10 per cent. of the highest usage.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe information is not currently available.