KiwiRail and Matamata-Piako District Council are removing some trees and trimming the remaining ones along the rail line adjacent to SH27 in Matamata on New Zealand’s North Island, as part of an effort to enhance safety in the rail corridor.
The work follows the tragic death of local high school student Sarie Morton, who was struck by a train outside her school in March.
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. Vegetation along the embankment next to Swap Park will also be removed.
After Morton’s death, there had been calls for KiwiRail to slow down trains or not run them through the town between 3pm and 3.30pm.
However KiwiRail Acting Chief Operations Officer Paul Ashton said this was not a viable solution.
“Freight trains run on a timetable and cover long distances, often travelling through multiple towns, to move our customers’ freight,” he said.
“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.”
KiwiRail and the council reminded 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,” said Ashton.
“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.
“People should only cross the tracks at designated pedestrian level crossings. In Matamata, this means using the crossing at Tainui Street.”
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.”
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