AQW 5816/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 21/07/2020
Answered On Date: 27/07/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the current laws (i) to prevent trespassing; and (ii) to ensure proper use of user worked crossings on heritage railways.

Answer:

The current law to prevent trespassing on heritage railways is the Regulation of Railways Act 1868 (which is still extant) Sections 2, and 23. Fines are imposed on people trespassing on the lines.

The law to ensure the proper use of user worked crossings on heritage railways is Section 6 of the Railway Safety Act 2002. This Act gives the Department powers to prescribe in regulations for the placing of signs and barriers at private crossings. The Department subsequently made the Private Crossings (Signs and Barriers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 which would apply to heritage railways.