Rail deaths prompt upgrades

Deaths and near misses at Auckland train stations have prompted a near $8 million investment into rail safety.

The announcement was made by Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff at Glen Eden station in West Auckland yesterday.

Eleven rail crossings across the city would be upgraded with automatic gates and hazard lights to help save lives, Goff said.

‘‘We are announcing an investment of $7.6 million towards rail safety to prevent avoidable accidents and loss of life that saw several people killed and 50 near misses for pedestrians at Auckland’s rail crossings last year,’’ he said.

‘‘Too many families and communities have lost loved ones due to rail-related deaths or are picking up the pieces because of a serious injury.’’

The investment would be made by Auckland Transport and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Goff said improving rail safety was already underway with AT installing seven automatic gate safety upgrades in the past 12 months.

‘‘With rail patronage increasing rapidly, with 20.3 million train passenger trips in past 12 months, and with risk rising with more trains crossing Auckland, the need for improved rail safety measures is urgent,’’ he said.

‘‘When a train hits a car or a pedestrian, it’s unforgiving.

‘‘You’re thirteen times more likely to be killed in an accident involving a train than in any other car crash.’’

Transport Minister Phil Twyford said over the next two years, the 11 safety gates would be installed in West Auckland, Avondale and south Auckland.

The Matthes family, who lost their son Keenan when he was hit by a train at Ra¯nui station in April last year, were at the station to support the instalment of safety upgrades.

Keenan was wearing headphones at the time of the accident and was unaware a train was approaching.

Mum Karamea Matthes said the announcement was ‘‘amazing’’.