Low Bridges and Level Crossings
Page 28
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AMONGST the numerous road improvements which the Minister of Transport claims to have inaugurated, particularly with a view to the elimination of danger spots, it is hoped that sight will not be lost of two particular deterrents to transport. These are low bridges and level crossings.
It may be remembered that Mr. N. H. Dean,. M.Inst.T., general manager of the Yorkshire Traction Co., Ltd., enlarging on some points in his paper on roads at the Public Transport Association conference, referred to low bridges as a menace. He pointed out that in his fleet of 360 buses, only 120 could operate on certain routes because of these obstructions. Without the bridges, the number operated could easily be doubled.
There were also, he added, more than 4,000 gated level crossings, some even strung across the Great North Road. It would be intensely galling to an operator of a bus using oil fuel taxed at 2s. 6d. per gallon to be held up at a level crossing in order to give priority to a Diesel-engined train, in respect of which no tax whatever was paid to the Exchequer.
In many cases, the cost of niodifying a road to permit the running of double-deckers under a low bridge would not be excessive. In most cases the bridge would not have to be altered: it would merely be a question of lowering the road beneath it.
The abolition of level crossings is, of course, a far more extensive task, for bridges and their attendant inclined roads covering a considerable area must be constructed.