Dear KiwiRail,

The Otago Daily Times reported in 3 March 2020 an accident at a level crossing near the intersection of Cemetery Road and Gladstone Road, Mosgiel. It must be inferred from the stated location and photos published this is a reference to Alcam Crossing 3344 at 394.24 km Main South Line.
Why is this shown as a public crossing when it is accessing private land.
The land this crossing accesses is a single section of land continuous from Gordon Road to Riccarton Road West and it must be inferred the block remains under Kiwirail ownership as it incorporates the railway corridor and tracks. This being the case and the crossing having been present at this location for at least four decades, plus the fact the two aforementioned roads provide two alternative points of access to the site via crossings on public roads with a higher standard of safety, then why has Kiwirail not acted to make this crossing safer in all of that time?
It must also be inferred that the most straightforward solution to this problem is to simply close the crossing.

Yours faithfully,

Patrick Dunford