Closure of Saunders Road Level Crossing (Marton)
Patrick Dunford made this Official Information request to Rangitikei District Council
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From: Patrick Dunford
Dear Rangitikei District Council,
Transport Accident Investigation Commission has recently reported on a fatal level crossing accident at the level crossing where Saunders Road crosses over the North island Main Trunk railway near Marton. According to TAIC's report, this road beyond the level crossing only serves one private property. There also appears to be a secondary means of access to this property via Andrews Road which connects to Onepuhi Road. Onepuhi Road has additional transport connections in Rangitikei District and eliminates the need to cross the railway at the Saunders Road level crossing, effectively via the safer underpass of the railway on State Highway 1.
The safety of the railway crossing is particularly of concern in the case of large commercial vehicles which might be using the road as there is limited sight distance of approximately 200 metres of trains approaching from the north. The time required for a LCV to clear the track in the case of a train that is just beyond that distance and which can reach the crossing within a short time could be a factor in the accident risk and is evaluated within the accident report. It appears mitigation of this risk is not commercially viable for Kiwirail given the estimate that only 12 vehicles a day use the crossing.
In view of the fact there is only one property served by this section of Saunders Road and that alternative road access appears to be available to this property it appears that the interests of multiple parties including Kiwirail, Rangitikei District Council ratepayers charged for maintaining an unnecessary public road, taxpayers funding NZTA for maintaining an unnecessary public road and the wider public interests of road and railway safety could be best served by this section of Saunders Road including the railway crossing either being converted to a private road or closed completely.
Has the Rangitikei District Council evaluated the possibility of carrying out the actions of closing this section of Saunders Road.
Yours faithfully,
Patrick Dunford
From: info
Rangitikei District Council
Thank you for contacting the Rangitīkei District Council, your email is
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Should your email be regarding an urgent matter, please call 0800 422 522
(24/7).
Kind Regards,
| Customer Experience Team |
| 46 High Street, Private Bag 1102, Marton 4741 | www.rangitikei.govt.nz |
| P 06 327 0099 or 0800 422 522 | F 06 327 6970 |
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From: info
Rangitikei District Council
Morena Patrick,
Thank you for your email, this has been directed to our Roading team.
Should you require further assistance, please reply to this email or phone 0800 422 522
Kind Regards,
| Customer Experience Team |
| 46 High Street, Private Bag 1102, Marton 4741 | www.rangitikei.govt.nz |
| P 06 327 0099 or 0800 422 522 |
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From: Patrick Dunford
Dear info,
As it is now two months since the request was sent can you let me know if a response is available from the council yet.
Yours sincerely,
Patrick Dunford
From: Lisa Daniels
Rangitikei District Council
Kia ora Patrick,
My apologies for not having a response for you to your first request, unfortunately it did not come through the LGOIMA process originally. Now that I have received your follow up email we will action this through our LGOIMA process. Again my apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Thank you for your email, We have received your Official Information request. As required under the provisions of the Local Government Official Information Act your request will be responded to within 20 working days.
Ngâ mihi
Lisa Daniels
| Lisa Daniels | Executive Assistant – Group Managers | | 46 High Street, Private Bag 1102, Marton 4741 | www.rangitikei.govt.nz |
| 06 327 0099 ext or 0800 422 522 |
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From: Lisa Daniels
Rangitikei District Council
Good morning Patrick
Please see attached our response to your official information request.
Kind regards,
Lisa Daniels | Executive Assistant – Group Managers |
[1][email address]
46 High Street, Private Bag 1102, Marton 4741 |
[2]www.rangitikei.govt.nz
P 06 327 0099 or 0800 422 522
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If you have received this email and any attachments to it in error, please
take no action based on it, copy it or show it to anyone. Please advise
the sender and delete your copy. Thank you.
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