Rail crossings a serious issue

THE Collins Avenue railway crossing at Edge Hill is a fatality waiting to happen.

In the space of one month two vehicles have collided with the Kuranda train.

Fortunately passengers and drivers have walked away with minor injuries despite the vehicles being extensively damaged. The next crash could be a fatal. A train is extremely heavy and takes a long time to stop, even at slow speed.

Authorities must provide further safety measures such as boom gates.

Collins Avenue is a busy road and used by motorists to get to and from the airport as well by Botanic Gardens’ visitors and others exercising on the arrow tracks.

Perhaps a ban on motorists turning right on to Collins Avenue from the southbound lanes of Sheridan St should be introduced.

The latest crash comes as it appears that Queensland Rail has ignored or failed to keep adequate records about near misses at dangerous crossings throughout the region. As well a recent former Cairns-based senior driver was cautioned for bullying, misusing resources and encouraging staff to engage in unsafe work practices. His duties covered crossing safety issues.

Queensland Rail needs to launch a formal investigation into dangerous crossings in the Far North before it is too late.

Two crashes at the same crossing in four weeks are a wake-up call. Nick Dalton Deputy editor