Cobden Bridge Crossing

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1947, Page 4

Cobden Bridge Crossing

Sir, —I do not know who is responsible for the railway time-table, but I do think it is time something was done in regard to the shunting of trains. When a person is going to work at 8 o’clock he will be held up for anything up to 10 minutes whilst railway officials are either shunting of else waiting for a rtain to leave. Take this morning, for instance. I arrived at the crossing at 7.50 and a train was standing stationary at the crossing, waiting for the Otira train to leave. If the persons responsible think that this is the most convenient time to shunt the repair waggons to Elmer lane, let them' come up to the crossing for a few mornings, especially when it is raining and there is a “barber” coming down. It is bad enough having to cross the bridge without having to be held up the way we are by trains. Surely there are certain times available - for this work, when the traffic is not busy, say from six to seven in the roomings and eight to ten in the evenings. There is another thing, too. Certain bodies, unions and employers, are very strict with working hours, and so why should a person be penalised when the trouble could be overcome by action on the part ol the Railways Department? I hope the railway “heads” can arrange the shunting of trains for a more suitable time.—Yours, etc., WORKER. Cobden, August 11.

When the above letter was referred to him this afternoon, the stationmaster at Greymouth, Mr A. L. Shand, said that every endeavour was made by the department to avoid excessive delays at the crossing. He added that the particular incident mentioned would be investigated, and the writer would be informed ol the result if he called upon the stationmaster.—Editor, Evening Star.