asked the Minister for Transport and Power if CIE will give permission to Mayo County Council to have the dangerous railway crossing at Garryduff, Claremorris, put in a safe condition, in view of the number of accidents that have taken place there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Railway Crossing.
24.
I am informed by CIE that they would be prepared to consider any scheme from Mayo County Council for the improvement of safety at Garryduff level crossing.
This crossing was originally provided as an accommodation crossing for the owners and occupiers of land adjoining the railway. Subsequently, however, the road through the crossing was extended and taken over by the local authority so that it is now, in effect, a public road crossing. There are a considerable number of this type of crossing throughout the country which have similarly changed in character. CIE have no obligation to provide attendance at such crossings and the onus is on the users of the crossings to open and close the gates. The question of safety at such crossings has been under consideration by my Department, in consultation with the Department of Local Government and CIE, and it is proposed to install automatically controlled warning devices instead of gates at a number of these crossings, including Garryduff.
Legislation will be required for this purpose and provision has been included in a Bill, which I hope to introduce shortly, which will enable me, after consultation with the Minister for Local Government, to make orders authorising such installations at specified level crossings.