Recently I asked the following Questions on Notice to Transport Minister Ms. Rachel Nolan.

“With reference to the Telegraph Road rail crossing—

How many commuter and cargo services have been delayed or cancelled because of accidents at the crossing in the last five years and how many occurred between (a) 6.30am and 8.30am and (b) 4pm and 7pm weekdays?

The answer provided by the Minister (which was available only for the period after 1st July 2007) was that there had been fifteen accidents causing thirty delays.

Fourteen of these accidents involving motor vehicles were caused by driver inattention and failure to stop when approaching the railway crossing.

Since 1st July 2007 there have been:

• 16 delayed CityTrain Services caused by accidents between 6.30am and 8.30 pm, and
• 9 at other periods
• 4 delayed CityTrain services that were empty
• 1 delayed QR National Freight service

These figures are totally unacceptable and highlight the importance of upgrading this dangerous crossing.