Another Rail Crossing fatality in Silverstream

Michael from Pinehaven

I had some input into getting the Silverstream Railway Station rail pedestrian crossing made safer in 2004. This followed an entirely avoidable fatality there a year earlier.

Then whenever i crossed over the railway tracks a few hundred metres further up the line - including only last week - it always occurred to me that similar safety measures should also be installed.

Why one and not the other despite the fact that the station crossing - which is of course not only for train passengers - is among the busiest pedestrian rail crossings in NZ and the one a little further up the road gets a trickle of usage. One of the complementary factors of both crossings is there usage by school pupils on a daily. basis.

So yesterday another person was killed. If I thought each time I walked across that crossing about why isn't it made safer with barriers and gates - why aren't the people who suppose to be looking out for us not promoting action and this goes for the Mayor and the councillors who live in the vicinity including David Wheeler. And it of course goes for the owners of the Wellington suburban railways who allow their staff to be subjected to these killings and accidents.