HORNBY RAILWAY CROSSING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23400, 6 August 1941, Page 10

HORNBY RAILWAY CROSSING

Sir,—This letter reopens a timeworn subject, that of the railroad crossing, at Hornby. Any measure of

complaint ip the past has failed to arouse the railway authorities ter rectify the danger. While motoring through from the south about 9 p.m. recently at’ quite a normal speed,,! was suddenly confronted by a line of freight waggons drawn across the road bn the Hornby crossing. The night was very dark and wet, the crossing unlit, no warning, light flashed,- no alarm sounded, and no crossing-keeper appeared to announce the presence of a train. Although an experienced driver, I was unacquainted with this stretch of highway, and only by rapid action was a disaster averted. ... In its present condition, this situation calls for spontaneous and effective action, as it constitutes a menace to the common safety and is a hazard to all road users. After inquiry, I learned that this railroad crossing has been the cause of many fatal accidents, in spite of which the authorities have declined to make any effort to remove this highway death trap, which, if allowed to remain, will continue to exact its toll in human lives. —Yours, etc., V. MAXWELL BUSBY. July 29, 1941. [On this letter being referred to the District Traffic Manager, he stated that at'the crossing referred to there is a railway- "Look out for the Engine. notice; -also, about 150 yards on each side of the crossing there is a warning board. Furthermore, the words “Railway Crossing” and two white lines are painted on the asphalt. There is a street , light on the intersection, and in close proximity to the railway track. Provided a motor driver had his lights in good order and exercised ordinary care, ■ no danger was involved.]