Level Crossings

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21464, 4 May 1935, Page 14

Level Crossings

In his spwah last night Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon, a Citizens' Association candidate for the Chi'i.stchurcb City Council. made ttin very usei'ul suggestion that. the next council should seek the financial support of the Government and the Unemployment Board to enable it to eliminate railway level crossings in the city. The danger to traffic inherent in these crossings has long been a source of uneasiness to the public; and it is a danger that is lessened rather than removed by the provision of automatic signals und crossing-keepers. The truth is that there is no such thing as a sate level crossing; the only way to give full protection to traffic is to take the road over or under the railway line. The case for this expedient is as strong on the grounds of convenience as it is on the grounds of safety. Level crossings in city streets —the Colombo street crossing is a case in point—are a constant source of delay and confusion. In the past the Government Railways Board has with some justification taken up the attitude that the elimination of crossings is a task quite beyond its financial resources. In ;;he cities and h.rgcr towns, however, the financial objection is not so strong. All municipal authorities find it difficult to provide relief works which give an adequate return for the money expended; and the elimination of crossings is surely of more value to the community than the reclamation of sandhills or the removal of grass from roadsides. It must be emphasised, however, that the Christchurch City Council cannot be expected to undertake the work as part of the number 5 scheme. Ordinary award rates should be paid;

jand the Government Railways Board, which would derive substantial benefits from the change, ought to bear some part of the capital cost.