LEVEL CROSSINGS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19986, 22 July 1930, Page 10

LEVEL CROSSINGS.

BETTER SIGNALS WANTED. "WIG-WAG" ON RICCARTON ROAD. At last month's meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council a discussion took place regarding the railway signals at the Riccarton road crossing, and it was decided to write to the Railway Department on the subject. At last night's meeting of tho Council the following reply was received from the Signal and Electrical Engineer, New Zealand Railways:— "In reply to your letter of June 25th in regard to the warning device at the railway crossing at Riccarton road, this device is known as the wig-wag type, while those on the Styx crossing are of the flashing light type. "The wig-wag type of signal was, at the time it was installed, the best signal that was available for railway crossing warning purposes. Recently, there has been a considerable amount of experimenting and de6*gning done, and the flashing light signal has been de~ eloped. At a recent conference in America the opinions in regard to the value of these two signals were that they were practically equal, with a alight bias in favour of the flashing light signal for reasons of maintenance, etc.

"The wig-wag at Riccarton road is similar to the ones at present being manufactured, and is in no way obsolete.

"Recently I liad a carcfnl inspection made of several of the crossings in and about Christchurch and made enquiries from various people, and I find that, with the exercise of ordinary care on the part of the motorist, the signals can be considered as efficient.

"The wig-wag signal requires to be at such a height that it will not be damaged by passing waggons. It is equipped with a bell- and gives i satisfactory signal. "You ask that the red light be lowered, and I shall look into the matter and see whether any alt ration can be carried out. There would be considerable difficulty in making the lights larger than they are at tne present time, and, as I have pointed out, the design as a whole is in accordance with standard practice, similar to many thousands of these signals that are in use in different countries with satisfactory results." What is Wanted. Cr. C. G. McKellar, who brought up the matter originally, said that he did not think that his intentions had been conveyed fully to the Department. What he had referred to was the south end, where there was no signal of any value to the motoria\ One 35 feet up in the air could scarcely be seen and waß purely a tramway signal. What was wanted was a flashing red light, preferably a double one. Frequently he had driven right up to the crossing without hearing the bell or seeing the light. He suggested that locomotives should have more powerful headlights that would light up the line 500 or COO yards ahead. In replying to the letter it should be stated that what was desired was a light on the wig-wag; the present light was too small and should be twice its diameter. It was decided to incorporate Cr. McKellar's suggestion in the reply to the Department. Another Suggestion. Mr A. D. Ford wrote expressing satisfaction with the action taken in the matter, but stating that it did not matter what type of signal was erected if something were not done with the Council's two street lamps that prevented motorists seeing the signals. Cr. 11. W. Wise concurred with Mr Ford's view and said that it might be desirable to shade one side of these lamps. The Town Clerk (Mr R. Sarjeant) said that the lamps had been placed where they were at the request of the crossing-keeper, who had complained that he could not see cyclists or vehicles approaching. > It was decided that Cr.' McKellar and Mr Ford should confer on the subject.