COLOMBO STREET CROSSING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12429, 19 February 1901, Page 6

COLOMBO STREET CROSSING.

THE RAILWAY SHUNTING. FURTHER DISCUSSION AT THE SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. At the meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council last evening the question of railway shunting at Colombo Street crossing was again discussed. The General Manager of the New Zealand Railways wrote in reply to a from the Council stating that the Minister of Railways was not aware of any promise having been made to so alter the railway yard at Christchurch as to obviate the necessity for using the main street of Christchurch and Sydenham as a shunting ground. To comply with the request would involve a. very heavy expenditure which the Department war; not prepared to in cur. Councillor Jones said; the Council should inform the Government that it would be held responsible for any accident that might occur. Several very serious accidents had been very narrowly avoided. Councillor Forrester said the writer of the letter had evidently not been aware that the Council had received a promise that shunting on Colombo Street crossing would be lone away with. The crossing was exceedingly dangerous. Councillor Brown thought that if a requisition from those who- were obliged to drive vehicles over the crossing were sent to the Government it would strengthen the Council’s action. Councillor Jacques then moved that the letter from the General Manager of Railways should be received and that this Council is of opinion that it. is the duty of the Government to trovide for the safety of the residents in Sydenham and surrounding districts near Colombo and other streets' where railway crossings exist, and that'a - special committee should be appointed, to consist of Councillors Forrester, Jones and the mover, to further report upon the question. This was seconded by Councillor Forrester and fwi-ried.