Level Crossings

Hutt News, Volume XII, Issue 12, 1 September 1948, Page 6

Level Crossings

STREET CLOSING DISCUSSED

SERVICE TO THE DISTRICT • A request by the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the reopening of a level crossing across the railway line in Brees Street or Porutu Street has been refused by the Lower Hutt City Council. In notifying the Chamber to that effect the Council stated that its decision had been made after consultation with railway officials, who considered that level crossings were very dangerous, arid in view of the comparatively early electrification of the railway.

Mr. H. V. Horlor stated that the works committee of the Council went into the matter very exhaustively before deciding not to reopen Brees and Porutu Streets. Railway officials considered that every crossing on a double track was a danger. When the electrification of the railway Avas carried out there would be a train every three minutes. Pedestrian subways or overhead bridges would be provided at several points. An overbridge between Waterloo and Parle Avenue would cost £40,000, and would have to be at the city’s expense. The Bus Department and the Railway Department were against level crosings.

Level crossings Avould be definitely “out” when the railway -was electrified, which was likely to be in about two years, continued Mr. Horlor. Rolling stock, etc., was coming forward up to schedule, and as the Department had not got room to store it in the railway yards it must use it. The difficulty was to find sufficient labour in the Valley to dig the post holes.

Inspection of Locality

Mr. A. Brockelsby said that he and Mr. Moran had inspected the locality. There were other aspects of the matter besides that of danger. One was service to the district, also service to the hospital by ambulance and fire service to the eastern side of the railway line. Brees Street was a natural cross-over in the Hutt Valley. It seemed to him that it would be possible to put a ramp at Brees Street. They should not consider the expense, but should look at the proposal from the point of view of service to the district. The people in the Naenae area were not getting the service to which they were entitled. They were being isolat'^.

Mr. C. Moran agreed with Mr. Brockelsby that Brees Street was ah ideal point for a crossing with which to service the Naenae area. With Brees Street closed there Avas no crossing from Waterloo Road to Park Avenue, which doubled the distance to be travelled.

Mr. N. T. Gillespie pointed out that the new fire station had been sited in Waterloo Road for the specific purpose of giving east-Avest service, and the ambulance would ultimately be stationed at the present fire station, thus giving free communication Avith the hospital. The carriage of goods and people Avas the main consideration.

A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Moran and Brockelsby, Avas set up to investigate the matter further and report to the next meeting of the Chamber.