RAILWAY DANGERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 9 December 1936, Page 8

RAILWAY DANGERS

MEASURES FOR SAFETY. TERRACE END PROPOSAL. Argumenls for and against the deviation of the railway from the heart of Palmerston North were advanced at the meeting of the Terrace End I.regressive and Development Association, fast evening, when measures to increase security from accidents were under discussion. It was decided to i make a request to the City Council to ask the Government, on account of recent accidents, to fence in the ran - way line from Terrace End to the Square, and to ask for the installation of automatic level crossing barrleStating that be looked forward to the day when the railway line would be fenced all the way from Terrace End to the Square, the chairman (Mi F. J. Oakley) said tha.t he considered there was something noble about a steam engine passing through, and the rail-cars looked very graceful. tic would be very sorry to see the deviation of the railway out of the city. He considered that the dangers from the lino could be minimised by fencing it in and by the installation of barriers ’ which would fall automatically at level crossings on the approach of trains. He admitted that the two crossings in the Square could not be dealt with in this manner but. it should not be beyond the ability of engineers to sink the line and build a low overhead bridge 'without the necessity' lor unsightly ramps. I'enc--111 (r along the Terrace End route would be an adequate safeguard, and the edges of tne line could be planted witn shrubs and trees. “1 consider that the removal oi the railway would be a disadvantage to the city,” added the chairman, who said it had been that 1501) people passed through the Square daily t>y train, and some nad formed such a favourable impression that tliey had taken up their residence here on their retirement. If the railway was taken out of the city, Palmerston North would be sidetracked, and these advantages would be lost. He was very keen to aee the line fenced in, and if the 50,000 Club could support this and the beautification of the gravel pit, it would be doing a great service to the city. Much had been said about level crossing accidents, but ten occuired in country areas tor every one in a city like Palmerston North. The Government "was seized with the danger of the line ill its present condition, and would probably assist in the expenditure for fencing off the track and placing safeguards at the crossings. Mr J. Davidson: Is not this a mattei entirely tor the Railway Department ? • The chairman : Someone has to force the department to do it, and we may oe the mean 6. Mr H. J. King asked if there was a plank in the platform of the association regarding the railway deviation proposal. “I would not go so far as to say that my opinion represents the policy of the association,” replied the chairman, but, lie added, he considered it ,vas best not to shift the railway, and he did not know whether any member approved of the deviation. . Mr F. C. Litchfield: I do not think diat we should bind ourselves. Leave it to the individual members. I for one, would not be bound. Mr King said he considered that Palmerston North would never make any great progress until the deviation was completed. “The Government is in the mood to consider the matter favourably now, commented the chairman when the course of action mentioned had been decided upon.