LEVEL CROSSINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1934, Page 6

LEVEL CROSSINGS.

An important question was brought up at the conference last week between the Main Highways Board and the Wellington Automobile Association. An assurance was given by the board that it was anxious to revive, in co-operation with the Railways Board, the suspended programme for the elimination of dangerous level crossings. It is a matter in which several districts in Taranaki have expressed strong opinions, and with good cause. A short time ago the Stratford Borough Council raised the question again, and as time goes on the difficulties will become greater. Of course, the railway authorities contend that if regulations are obeyed and reasonable care is taken the danger of level crossings can be practically eliminated. Yet a recent fatality at Eltham showed how easily an error of judgment could be committed by even a careful driver, and the cost of his mistake was the terrible one of loss of his life. It is high time the elimination or adequate protection of railway crossings was undertaken seriously. The Main Highways Board is apparently willing to do its share, and there seems no reason why the Railways Board should not take the same attitude. By co-opera-tion between those authorities and local governing bodies there should be hope of the worst of an undoubted menace to public safety being removed. Last week’s conference was satisfactory in another direction. The Main Highways Board recognised that maintenance of highways, which has suffered from the economy necessary during the past few years, is one of the board’s most important functions.' The funds available for this purpose have been increased by £200,000, making a total allocation of £900,000 for this year. This should go some distance towards making up the leeway in highway maintenance that those who are specially taxed for road upkeep have a right to expect