LEVEL CROSSINGS

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1934, Page 3

LEVEL CROSSINGS

FORECAST OF ELIMINATION. POSSIBLE RENEWAL OF SCHEME. The possible re-establishment of a plan to eliminate a certain number of level crossings each year was mentioned by the chairman of the Main Highways Board, Mr. E. F. McKenzie, when application for elimination of crossings at Mokoia and Ball Road was made by the Automobile Association (South Taranaki) at Hawera yesterday. Mr. McKenzie said he had recently been instructed to go into the matter with the Railway Department and it was likely that plans would be forthcoming for the elimination of as many as possible. In pointing out the danger of the crossings, Mr. W. O. Williams, president, said the one at Mokoia was particularly dangerous. Going north, the view was obstructed by the Mokoia Dairy Company’s building while going south the road was below the level of the railway line and drivers of small cars had no chance of seeing approaching railway traffic. “On the proper highway,” he continued, “a bridge crosses the railway line. In the old days, that road was used, but it rarely is now. The only thing acting as a bar to the development of the proper highway was a one-way bridge placed at an awkward angle. Th£ old road, however, owing to plenty of spoil lying about, could be formed without much cost.” The Ball Road crossing was bad and as a large area of country was served by the road, the time was not far distant when something would have to be done. Some years ago, said Mr. McKenzie, the board had a programme for eliminating so many crossings each year in cooperation with the Railway Department . During the depression it had been postponed, but it was likely to be taken up again shortly. Under the scheme the department paid £25,000 annually and the rest of the money was, found by the local bodies and the board. As traffic and speed increased, the position became more acute, and the level crossings would have to be got rid of in time. Mr. M. H. Wynyard suggested that a good scheme was to paint large warning notices on the road. The board paid a £3 to £1 subsidy on the work, which gave good results, he said. The trouble with signs, said Mr. J. B. Murdoch, chairman of the Hawera County Council, was that they needed constant renewal.