Feilding’s Level Crossing Problem

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 108, 8 May 1941, Page 3

Feilding’s Level Crossing Problem

RAMP PROPOSAL AGAIN TURNED DOWN Members of the Peilding Chamber of Commerce at the meeting ou Monday evening were invited to discuss once again the matter of a ramp over the Kimbolton Road railway level crossing. The president (Mr. H. S. Tate) said that since the additional shunting tracks had been laid down the crossing had become more dangerous and he favoured the idea of a ramp. Mr. A. C. McCorkindale recalled that when the threat of a ramp was first made some two years or so ago all interests in the town had opposed the idea and nothing had transpired *to alter that decision. He would be very sorry to see the main thoroughfare of the town disfigured by the erection of a ramp. •Several speakers followed in a like vein, all expressing opposition to the idea and agreeing that it was necessary. Mr. J. H. Dewe stated that he had recently changed his residence and now lived north of the crossing and he was satisfied that the crossing gave him no trouble. He discounted the argument that since the laying of the additional tracks the periods of hold-ups had lengthened. Mr. S. J. Tingey confessed that he had been against the ramp proposal but since the additional tracks had beeu laid, he had found reason to change hia views, claiming that he had experienced many delays at the crossing. ,Mr. G. J. Fitzpatrick gave the Chamber the history of the alterations to tho shunting yards, the laying of the new tracks, and 'the proposal to erect a ramp. A sub-committee of business men had met the railway engineers and discussed the whole matter with them and received the assurance that the additional tracks would tend to reduce the amount of shunting over the crossing. The speaker was satisfied that this had been proved by experience and that to-day there was very little shunting over the crossing. The trouble appeared to be to-day that trains on the main line pulled out over the crossing and lie understood. that this was due to longer trains and the requirement that the guard’s van should be level with the station platform. To meet this he had suggested that the platform be extended southwards for a couple of chains and the engineers when in Feilding recently had agreed that this would overcome the difficulty but could not give any assurance that such a work would be undertaken. Towards the end of a lengthy debate Mr. K. M. Little suggested that the discussion was futile and went on to remark that"since the chamber was apparently conscious of the grave crisis confronting the Empire, by the fact that the discussion had been halted at 9 o’clock to observe the silent prayer, it was a pity that members had not devoted their energies upon some subject, or activity, that would assist the Nation’s war effort. The building of a ramp would not help to win the war, nor was the discussion contributing anything really useful in these dark days when everyone was expected to turn to the performance of the duties the great tasks ahead demanded. The discussion concluded with agreement to recommend 'to the railway authorities that the station platform be extended southwards to avoid the necessity of trains on the main line pulling up over the crossing.