An “important step” has been taken to improve level crossing safety in Tawa, Wellington with the opening of new automatic pedestrian gates at McLellan Street.
The four new gates are activated by a sensor on the tracks and have a safety zone with an emergency exit gate. When a train approaches, bells sound, red lights flash and the crossing gates close automatically.
Pedestrians can push the gate open from the inside if the automatic gate has shut while they’re already on the crossing.
Over the past 15 years, there have been nine near-misses reported between pedestrians and trains in the Tawa area, many of them involving college-aged students. There was also a fatality at the crossing in 2020.
KiwiRail Chief Metro and Capital Programme Officer, David Gordon, said: “These gates are an important safety feature, but pedestrians still need to pay attention and look both ways for trains at railway level crossings.
“People need to be especially careful about avoiding distractions such as mobile phones and headphones when they are crossing railway lines. Trains cannot stop quickly and they cannot swerve.”
Manager of TrackSAFE NZ Megan Drayton said locomotive engineers (train drivers) will also be pleased about the new gates at this particular crossing.
“Near misses at level crossings can be particularly traumatic for locomotive engineers,” she said.
“There is very little they can do when they see someone or something on the tracks other than hit the horn and apply the emergency brakes.”
Tawa Community Board Chair Jill Day said the Tawa Community Board is delighted to see the completion of pedestrian safety upgrades at the McLellan Street level crossing.
“Ensuring people can move safely around Tawa is a priority, particularly for young people travelling to and from school,” she said.
“We are grateful to TrackSAFE for their ongoing advocacy and commitment to rail safety and KiwiRail for completing this important upgrade.
“As a community with three level crossings, as well as a pedestrian‑only crossing near Tawa College, we know these kinds of safety improvements play a vital role in reducing near‑misses and improving outcomes for everyone.”
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