A life-threatening collision at Papakura Railway Station has prompted new recommendations to improve the working relationship between the rail authority and a construction company. Maurice Smyth has the story
Adangerous incident at Papakura Railway Station halted work on a new overbridge for a month while the incident was investigated. A train struck the bucket of a digger which was working on one of the station's platforms last month. The incident occurred not long before the evening traffic build-up, but no-one was injured. Charlotte Marsh of On Track's administration support staff at Westfield says ``people could have died'' but she declined to answer further questions.
On Track's head of communication, Kevin Ramshaw, says that when the outcome of the investigation is known, recommendations will be passed on to the authority and its contractor, Dominion Constructors of Ellerslie, on improvements in their working relationship.
The station's historic bowstring truss footbridge, erected in the early 1900s, will support its constant foot traffic for a few months yet.
Project manager Charlie Susich says several parties, including the Papakura District Council, have expressed interest in acquiring the old bridge, when its rusting struts and bows are dismantled.
Near miss for rail passengers
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