The Private Crossings (Signs and Barriers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007

(Regulation 9)

SCHEDULE 3 BARRIERS OTHER THAN GATES

1.  Where barriers are used, they shall when lowered across a private road or path be long enough to extend either—

(a) across the full width of the private road or path, or

(b) from the left-hand side of the private road or path (as seen from a vehicle approaching the crossing) to a point as close as possible to the centre of the private road or path as is consistent with allowing a clear passage at least 3 metres wide between the tip of the barrier and the other side of the private road or path.

2.  When a barrier is lowered its uppermost surface shall be not less than 900 millimetres above the road surface at the centre of the private road or path and the under clearance between a barrier and the road surface shall not exceed 1000 millimetres.

3.  A barrier shall be provided with means to raise it and hold it in the raised position and means to release the holding mechanism. A barrier may be so linked with any other barrier at the crossing that the barriers can be raised or lowered simultaneously from either side of the crossing.

4.  A cover shall be provided for each pivot post for the purposes of guarding against danger to any person from the operating mechanism and the moving parts of the barrier machine.

5.  The barriers when lowered shall display on both front and rear faces alternate red and white bands each approximately 600 millimetres long and to the full depth of the barriers. A strip of retro reflecting material not less than 50 millimetres deep, in colour matching that of the bands, shall be provided along the full length of each band.

6.  The barriers may be fitted with skirts which fence in the space between the barriers and the road surface. Skirts shall be of a light colour.

7.  Electric lamps may be fitted to the barriers and each lamp shall show a red light, when illuminated, in each direction along the private road or path.

8.—(1) So far as reasonably practicable—

(a) a barrier shall be constructed so as to be strong enough to withstand distortion or fracture, and

(b) a skirt fitted to a barrier shall be capable of withstanding damage, caused by wind pressure or by a farm animal.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (1) above, a barrier (with a skirt, if fitted) shall be as light in weight as possible.