asked the Minister for Transport when he proposes to approve the erection of much needed traffic lights on Wexford Bridge, Wexford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Traffic Lights.
14.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The proposal to instal road traffic lights at Wexford Bridge was submitted to my Department because these lights would, in addition to regulating the normal flow of road traffic, also control the railway level crossing adjacent to the bridge. This is a unique situation insofar as conventional road traffic lights, to be installed by a contractor for the county council, are proposed to be used for the protection of a level crossing. Agreement to the proposal was given by my Department to CIE in June 1981, subject to certain conditions. CIE are, however, experiencing practical difficulties in complying fully with the conditions specified, but they are endeavouring, in conjunction with the county council and their contractor, to resolve these problems as quickly as possible.
One of the conditions laid down is that if the lights were not working a man has to walk in front of the train——
A question please.
Does the Minister agree that this is a ludicrous condition? We are going back to the Stone Age.
(Cavan-Monaghan): This is a matter for Wexford County Council and CIE. The condition immediately before that mentioned by the Deputy says that the light shall be monitored in such a way that an indication will be given when they are working, and particularly when they are not working. If that arrangement can be put into operation it will not be necessary to have a man walking in front of the train. That is the arrangement CIE are trying to work out at the moment. They want to get a monitoring system where an alarm will be given when the lights are out of order. This may sound funny, but although I know the area I do not know it as well as Deputy Allen. We all agree this is a serious matter and lights should not be erected which will at the same time control traffic on the roads and trains on a railway unless they are foolproof. That is the idea.
Is the Minister aware that the maximum number of trains using that line is three or four a day and that the train travels at about three miles an hour? The present situation is chaotic. For CIE, or whoever is responsible, to suggest that Wexford County Council should provide a man to walk down the track ahead of the train when the lights are not working is ridiculous. The sooner this problem is solved the better.
(Cavan-Monaghan): This is not a matter directly for my Department; it is a matter for CIE and the county council. It may be that there are only three trains a day but it would only take one train travelling at three miles an hour less than one minute to kill somebody or a couple of people. When a change is made it should be foolproof.
Is the Minister aware that at present there are warning lights across the bridge? What happens if those warning lights are not working? I never saw a man walking down the track in front of a train.