Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:222 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has to improve safety levels for landowners at rail crossings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8848/95]
Written Answers. - Rail Crossings.
The improvement of safety levels at accommodation level crossings on privately owned land is a matter for the board and management of CIE and Iarnród Éireann.
Iarnród Éireann is fully aware of the safety requirements of such level crossings and improvements are being made on an ongoing basis to ensure their safe use. These improvements consist of resurfacing, cutting back growth and excavating embankments to maintain and improve views, the installation of cattle grids where required, the provision of warning signs, widening crossings to allow machinery to cross more quickly and maintaining crossing gates to ensure ease of opening and closing and to ensure that they provide a secure stock-proof barrier.
Iarnród Éireann is currently producing an explanatory booklet on the safe use of accommodation crossings and it is its intention to visit every crossing user to discuss the contents of the booklet. These visits will be used to discuss any land owner's particular problems, to investigate whether crossings can be closed and to identify any improvements which can make the use of crossings safer for the users.
Where closure is feasible it is carried out by means of a legal agreement following full consultation with the land owner concerned and-or his legal representative. In all cases involving closure, appropriate agreed compensation is made available. In some cases agreed alternative means of access are provided, for example, by building access roadways, negotiating rights of way over adjoining land and in some limited cases providing underpasses.