Tinwald School curriculum gets ERO tick
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Rail crossings on urgent list BY SUE NEWMAN
SUE.N@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
Four rail crossings in the Ashburton District have made it on to KiwiRail’s high priority list for upgrades, but the site of the district’s most recent rail crash has not. Following a smash between a train and a utility vehicle at the Hatfield rail crossing last month, Ashburton District councillor Neil Brown called for KiwiRail to push the crossing up its priority list because three deaths had occurred there since 1980. On the list at 11th place is Compton Street in Tinwald, Delmaine Street, Hinds, 16th, Winslow Westerfield Road, Winslow, 21st and Coplands Road between Dromore and Chertsey, 22nd. The first three intersections already have flashing lights and bells and KiwiRail plans to add half barrier arms to their protection. The Coplands Road crossing is currently marked by
Compton Street in Tinwald is in 11th place on KiwiRail’s high priority list for upgrades.
only a give way sign but will receive flashing lights and bells. Senior communications advisor Sarah Pomeroy said that the list was compiled using a risk assessment model to determine appropriate protection measures for crossings. “This system assesses more than 100 characteristics at
each crossing including level of road and rail traffic, number of tracks, road layout and sight lines,” she said. The list was based on surveyed usage, engineering and geographical data rather than collision history and it was complied with an emphasis on prevention.
“The level crossings on the list have been selected because the probability of an accident at them is higher. This does not mean they are the ‘worst’ crossings.”
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Many already had flashing lights and bells in place but had been elevated up the list because of an increase in rail or road traffic, Ms Pomeroy said. KiwiRail maintains 4000 kilometres of rail across New Zealand. This includes 1243 public road and 677 pedestrian level crossings, all of which have some form of traffic control device. Of the country’s public road level crossings, 55 per cent carry flashing lights and bells or half arm barriers. KiwiRail is currently planning to install around eight new or upgraded alarm systems each year. The greatest safety measure at any intersection was to exercise caution, she said. “Treat a level crossing as you would any other intersection obey the signs, and always look and listen for trains. Take care, and be aware, every time.”
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