AQW 5816/17-22 Written question to the Minister for Infrastructure
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.
Asked by Andrew Muir MLA on 21 July 2020
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 21 July 2020
- Answer due by
- 5 August 2020
- Answered
- 27 July 20206 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- No
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.