asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will direct CIE to take the necessary precautions to safeguard the low lying rail bridges across public roadways.
57.
Written Answers. - Low Clearance Bridges.
56.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power when he hopes to have a report on the inquiry being held by his Department into the recent rail crash in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together.
Because of the increase in the number of road vehicles carrying high and heavy loads, there is an increasing risk of damage to railway underline bridges.
This is a matter which has been under examination by CIE in consultation with my Department and the Department of Local Government in recent years. Measures taken to date to improve safety at such bridges include the following:
(1) CIE publish a notice in the Press at half-yearly intervals drawing the attention of owners and drivers of vehicles carrying high loads to the existence of bridges with low headroom and advising drivers of such vehicles to check the clearance limit before passing under a bridge.
(2) Advertising hoardings have been removed from low headroom bridges on national primary and secondary routes, where this was considered desirable in the interests of safety.
(3) The majority of low headroom bridges on national primary and secondary routes have been marked with distinctive coloured reflectorised material and headroom dimension signs have been erected.
(4) The Minister for Local Government issued a circular letter on 6th December, 1974, on the specific issue of signs at low clearance bridges indicating his concern to road authorities regarding the dangerous situation at such locations. Referring to his previous circular of October, 1962, concerning traffic signs, he recommended an examination of each low clearance bridge with a view to ensuring, inter alia, the erection of suitable advance warning signs on the approaches to such bridges.
As announced in the Press on 10th January, 1976, I have directed that an inquiry under the Railways Acts be held into the cause of the railway accident which occurred at an underline bridge near Gorey, County Wexford, on 31st December, 1975. The inquiry will be held as soon as possible and particulars of the date and place will be announced in the Press as soon as the necessary arrangements have been completed. The report of the inquiry will be furnished to me in due course and will be made public in accordance with the provisions of the Railways Acts.
Pending the results of the inquiry and any recommendations which may be made by the inspector holding the inquiry, my Department propose to examine in consultation with CIE and the Department of Local Government whether any further immediate measures are desirable and practicable to minimise the risk of accidents at low clearance bridges.