Trees Next To Rail Track Being Removed To Improve Safety

KiwiRail and Matamata-Piako District Council are removing some trees and trimming the remaining ones along the rail line adjacent to SH27 in Matamata, as part of a broader effort to enhance safety near the rail corridor.

There are more than 70 trees in the area which currently obstruct visibility for train drivers of anyone approaching the rail line adjacent to Firth Street.

Eleven trees in the area are being fully removed and the others will have branches lifted and canopies trimmed, to improve view lines. Vegetation along the embankment next to Swap Park will also be removed.

KiwiRail and the council remind local residents that no one should cross the tracks except at designated crossings.

“Our locomotive engineers (train drivers) already sound their horns as they pass through this part of Matamata, to alert people to the presence of a train. While removing the trees will improve visibility for locomotive engineers, a fully laden freight train takes up to 1km to come to a stop, even with its emergency brakes applied,” says KiwiRail Acting Chief Operations Officer Paul Ashton.

“People should only cross the tracks at designated pedestrian level crossings. In Matamata, this means using the crossing at Tainui Street.”

The land on either side of the railway tracks in this area is owned by KiwiRail and maintained by the council.

Matamata-Piako District Council CEO Manaia Te Wiata says fencing will also be installed, to deter people from entering the rail corridor.

“The council and KiwiRail will start with installing a fence along the western (Firth Street) side of the rail corridor between the Tainui Street and Burwood Road level crossings, to deter people from entering the corridor.

“We are also considering additional fencing and ways to link access to the eastern side of the tracks to the official pedestrian level crossing at Tainui St. Further safety improvements in the area are also being considered.”

The safety improvement work follows the tragic death of local high school student Sarie Morton in the rail corridor in March.

Mr Ashton said slowing down trains or not running them between 3pmand 3.30pm, which had been suggested, was unfortunately not viable.

“Freight trains run on a timetable and cover long distances, often travelling through multiple towns, to move our customers’ freight. There is a 70km/h speed limit through Matamata but even if trains were to travel more slowly, their weight means that they cannot stop quickly, even if the emergency brake is applied. Slowing or suspending services in residential areas simply would not work.

“The best way for people to stay safe is to cross the tracks only at a designated crossing, and only after looking in both directions for any approaching train. To cross anywhere else is both illegal and dangerous.”

© Scoop Media