Unsafe rail crossing closed off

The rail crossing from the end of Ngatai Rd down on to Seaway Tce has been blocked off despite locals' wishes. Photo / George Novak

An unsafe rail crossing has been closed off despite opposition from locals who regularly use the crossing.

KiwiRail said the crossing was one of the top 10 most unsafe pedestrian railway crossings in New Zealand and it had been working with the council to close it for years.

Residents turned out to a council meeting in force last week to defend the walkway that descended from Ngatai Rd and links into the Seaway Terrace cul-de-sac and was popular with elderly people, especially those walking their dogs.

Despite the residents' attempts to stop the closure of the crossing, KiwiRail constructed a fence and erected a no-trespass sign late last week.

KiwiRail security and corridor manager Frazer Tweedie said his organisation and the Tauranga City Council were concerned at the lack of visibility and said local residents were to instead use the road overbridge at Otumoetai Rd or the crossing at Bureta Rd.

Mr Tweedie said the walkway presented a serious issue with the increase in trains coming through to the Port of Tauranga.

"Safety is KiwiRail's priority and we want everyone to be safe on the rail network. There is an increase in the number and length of trains using this line and this will no doubt keep increasing as the Port of Tauranga grows. Trains are heavy and take a long time to stop and at this location there is not good visibility."