A threat to prosecute people trespassing on Whangarei railway lines seems to be having an effect, with fewer people risking their lives on the tracks, a train driver says. Last month Toll Rail said it would get tough on track trespassers and would prosecute repeat offenders. It feared a child
could die while walking on Whangarei rail tracks.
Toll Rail said it would put cameras on trains to catch images of offenders and train driver and Rail Safe programme co-ordinator Kevin Bain said the warning appeared to be working.
"The number of people on the tracks has abated somewhat. We've got about 70 percent of them off the tracks and now we are down to the hard core," Mr Bain said.
Those now found on rail tracks would be given one warning and if they were caught again the police would be called and the trespasser prosecuted.
"The trespass laws haven't really been pushed before but we will be using them now," Mr Bain said. Persistent offenders could be fined up to $20,000 for trespassing.
The two main problem areas for trespassers are from Vinery Lane to Manse St and around the southern end of the Kamo bypass.
Mr Bain said Rail Safe talks he gave on the issue to Whangarei Boys' High School, Whangarei Girls' High School and Whangarei Intermediate School recently may have helped ease the problem.
