§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the decision-making process and timescale involved in the proposal to install a double barrier at the level crossing at Beddingham on the A27; what weight is being given to the views of the(a) local county and district councils and (b) the constituency hon. Member; what assessment is being made of the traffic conjunction implications of the proposal; whether the proposal is being considered in conjunction with the separate proposal to construct a flyover over this crossing; and if he will make a statement. [102819]
§ Mr. JamiesonAn application for an Order has been made under the Level Crossing Act 1983 for a full barrier crossing at Beddingham. In accordance with the legislation the draft Order has been sent to all affected local authorities, including the highways authority. The Secretary of State for Transport will consider all representations made against this draft Orde—including the impact on road traffic—before making a decision on the way forward. The consultation period 357W closes on 1 April but the likely timeframe for decisions will be dependent on the level and content of the representations received. Careful consideration will be needed before any final decision on the way forward is made. Decisions related to the long-term future of the crossing will be taken within the context of decisions on the south coast multi-modal study. There is in any case a need to consider the short-term safety issues at Beddingham, which is the purpose of the consultation relating to the draft Order.