UPPER HUTT CROSSING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1937, Page 10

UPPER HUTT CROSSING

In reference to the letter of Mr. Angus J. MCCurdy in Monday's "Post" on the Upper Hutt crossings at the railway station, Councillor G. H. Guthrie explains the position in detail. Picnic trains are brought through the shunting yard to the siding constructed by the Eailway Department almost opposite the gates of Maidstone Park so that passengers can alight without crossing any . line or lines of rails. "Passengers arriving by other trains," states the correspondent, "alight at the platform, and if they wish to visit Maidstone Park or friends on the opposite side of the station platform, have either to cross over the lines of rails or. according to Mr. McCm'dy, have to walk from a quarter to half a mile to reach the level crossings at each end of the railway yard by means of various streets. Trespassing on the line of rails is forbidden by the railWay bylaws. Can one imagine people doing this when there is a shorter way across the railway yard, notwithstanding the danger that exists in all railway yards when shunting work is being carried on. " 'Safety First' has always been the slogan of the Railway Department, and still is. So in bringing this matter before the Upper Hutt Borough Council, although 1 did not get a seconder, I consider that I am helping the Department to live up to that slogan in the interests of the travelling public and the railway employees, many of whom have their homes on the opposite side of the railway platform and whose families have either got to walk the long distance to reach the level crossing previously mentioned or to cross the railway yard. With the introduction of the rail-cars the possible danger has been increased by their comparative hoiselessness when running and their fast speed If an island platform is constructed at Upper Hutt-and there is an urgent need for one—a subway or an overhead bridge will be necessary. I am not casting any reflection on the local. railvyay staff nor on the Department in bringing this matter under notice. My relations with them have always been the most courteous."