Transport safety a key priority

The multi-agency Regional Transport Committee says it is very grateful to the Government for helping fund security improvements at the Waikato River rail bridge at Ngaruawahia.

The committee’s deputy chair Paula Southgate, from Environment Waikato, was commenting on a visit to the site today by rail safety campaigner and former New Zealand international test cricketer Chris Cairns.

He was there to observe safety measures put in place late last year to deter people from walking across or jumping from the bridge. KiwiRail has installed surveillance cameras and installed fencing at the southern end of the bridge.

Cr Southgate, who was at Ngaruawahia for Chris Cairns’ visit, said the upgrade was one great example of the way $13 million worth of special Government rail projects funding in the Waikato was being applied.

She said the committee was committed to working with Government, local councils, police and other agencies on improving transport safety generally in the region.

“Transport safety is a very high priority for the committee and the work done at Ngaruawahia shows what can be achieved by local organisations, business and central Government working together.”