Level Crossing (Lurgan (Bells Row)) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Article 3(a) and (b)

SCHEDULE 1 Particulars of the Barriers, Lights, Traffic Signs and other Devices

1.  The lifting barriers shall be pivoted as close to the railway as practicable on both sides of the road on each approach to the crossing.

2.  When lowered, the barrier shall be as nearly horizontal as possible and shall extend across the full width of the carriageway and the footways.

3.  When the barriers are fully lowered their uppermost surfaces shall be not less than 900 mm above the road surface at the centre of the carriageway and the underclearance between the barriers and the carriageway shall not exceed 1 metre.

4.  When in the fully raised position the barriers shall be inclined towards the carriageway at an angle of between 5 and 10 degrees from the vertical. No part of any barrier or of any attachment thereto which is less than 5 metres above the level of the carriageway shall be horizontally displaced from the nearer edge of the carriageway by less than 450 mm, and no part of any barrier or of any attachment thereto which is less than 2 metres above the level of the footway shall be horizontally displaced from that edge of the footway further from the carriageway by less than 150 mm.

5.  The barriers shall be as light as possible but shall also be strong enough to prevent distortion or fracture likely to be caused by wind pressure.

6.  The barriers shall be fitted with skirts of a pale colour and light construction so arranged that when the barriers are lowered the skirts fence in the space between the barriers and the ground.

7.  The barriers shall display on both front and rear faces alternative red and white bands each approximately 600 mm long and to the full depth of the barriers. A band of red retro-reflecting material not less than 50 mm deep shall be provided along the full length of each red band.

8.  Suitable screening shall be provided for each barrier machine to guard against danger to persons from the operating mechanism and moving parts of the machine.

9.  Three electric lamps, each of not less than 5 watts nominal rating and with lenses of not less than 50 mm diameter, shall be fitted to each barrier, (one within 150 mm of its tip, one near the edge of the carriageway and one near the centre point between the other two). When illuminated, the lamps shall show a red light in each direction along the carriageway.

10.  A traffic light signal as prescribed by regulation 13(4) of the Regulations shall be provided on the left hand side of the road on each approach to the crossing along the carriageway and as close as practicable to the barrier. There shall be an additional traffic light signal of the same type on the right hand side of the road on each approach to the crossing so located as to be either in line with or on the railway side of the stop line mentioned in paragraph 12. The traffic light signals on each side of the railway shall be positioned so as to face outwards from the crossing towards approaching road traffic. All the signals shall be capable of directional adjustment.

11.  An audible warning device shall be provided on or adjacent to each left hand side traffic light signal post on each approach to the crossing. Facilities shall be provided to reduce the sound output of these devices and any reduced sound output shall operate between 23.30 hours and 07.00 hours approximately.

12.  A reflectorised stop line of the size, colour and type shown in diagram 1001 in the Regulations shall be provided across the left hand side of the carriageway on each approach to the crossing approximately 1 metre before the left hand side traffic light signal.

13.  Where the road passes over the crossing, reflectorised edge of carriageway markings of the size, colour and type shown in diagram 1011 in the Regulations shall be provided along each edge of each footway.

14.  The centre line of the carriageway shall be marked on the crossing between the stop lines mentioned in paragraph 12 and for a distance of 12 metres on each side of the railway measured along the centre of the carriageway from the stop lines with a reflectorised double continuous line carriageway marking of the size, colour and type shown in diagram 1013.1 in the Regulations. The centre line shall be continued for a distance of 30 metres on each side of the railway measured along the centre of the carriageway from the ends of the double continuous line with a reflectorised double line of the size, colour and type also shown in diagram 1013.1 in the Regulations wherein the continuous line is on the left hand side of the broken line on each approach to the crossing.

15.  There shall be a crossing box at Lurgan (Bells Row) where the crossing is locally controlled and monitored. In the event of Lurgan (Bells Row) crossing box being closed, a closed circuit television camera shall be provided at the crossing and shall be connected to a viewing monitor adjacent to the crossing control point in Portadown signal box.

16.  The control point shall have push-buttons to—

(a) lower the barriers — the “lower” push-button;

(b) raise the barriers — the “raise” push-button;

(c) release the protecting signals — the “crossing clear” push-button;

(d) stop the lowering or raising of the barriers — the “stop” push-button.

17.  Facilities shall be provided at the crossing to operate the barriers and other protective equipment.

18.  Lighting shall be provided as necessary so that during the hours of darkness in conditions of normal visibility it can be seen from the control point that the crossing is clear whilst the barriers are being lowered and until the “crossing clear” push-button is pressed.

19.  Any lighting which is provided shall be at least to the same standard as the lighting of the carriageway.

20.  Protecting railway signals shall be provided, and these shall be interlocked with the barriers so that it shall not be possible, other than by hand, to raise the barriers from their positions across the carriageway unless the protecting railway signals are set at “Danger” and whilst the barriers are raised it shall not be possible to clear those signals.

21.  Cattle-cum-trespass guards of standard railway design shall be provided adjacent to the footways. The guards shall extend the full distance between the fence on each side of the railway.

22.  A traffic sign of the size, colour and type shown in diagram 537 in the Regulations shall be provided on the left hand side of the road on each approach to the crossing, and positioned so as to face outwards from the crossing towards approaching traffic.

23.  In this Schedule—

“the Regulations” means the Traffic Signs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1979(1).

(1)

S.R. 1979 No. 386; relevant amending Regulations are S.R. 1984 No. 58