LEVIN-GREATFORD RAILWAY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 175, 20 April 1929, Page 11

LEVIN-GREATFORD RAILWAY

Sir, —Now that operations have been suspended at the Palmerston North deviation, I think that the time is opportune for pMcing before the public some of the advantages to be gained by the construction of a railway from Levin to Greatford. , . fl) A Shorter Route.—With the construction of the Levin-Greatford branch line, the distance between Auckland and Wellington would be lessened By approximately sixteen miles. Also the Welling-ton-Wanganui-New Plymouth line would be accordingly shortened. This means a reduction in haulage costs on two main lines, a benefit to both the Railway De-, partment and the njiblic. Also, the time saved in the conveyance of passengers and goods is not to be overlooked. (2) Land Settlement. —Between Levin and Greatford, through the Oroua county, there are large tracts of high-quality land but sparsely settled. A railway through this district would be a national asset inasmuch as it would bring about the close settlement of this land, and land settlement is the solution of the pressing problem of unemployment. Moreover, this line would make the ports of Wanganuiand Foxton easily accessible to thg settlers, thereby reducin'* the cost of production. We are told that one of the reasons for the cessation of work on the Palmerston Nprth deviation is that traffic congestion is no longer a difficulty at the Palmerston North railway yards. Still, complaints of traffic blocks are still nu- , merous. With a line running from Levin to Greatford all possibility of congestion at North would cease to ex-, ist, as that section of the line would be used by trains between Levin and Palmerston and on the Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa lines only. The small number of trains then passing through Palmerston would greatly minimise the dangers of the so-called deadly level crossings which are so numerous in that town. Constructional difficulties in the building of a railroad from Levin to Greatford are far from formidable. At the present site of the Levin railway station there is ample room for the building of larger shunting yards, and the erection of all the necessary buildings. Again, there is a formed and used railway track from Foxton to Himatangi to Sanson. The greatest obstacle to be overcome is the Whirokino swamp, about four miles across. If the much more extensive Makerua swamp, was conquered by the builders of the old Manawatu line, sureJl. with modem methods of railroad building, the small Whirokino swamp can be brought into subjection.—l am. etc., WBRARQA RESIDENT. Weraroa, April 18.