Signal box arson delays Christchurch commuters

A deliberately lit fire in a signal box on the main trunk railway line at Christchurch delayed commuter traffic this morning.

The signal box controls barrier arms at railway crossings, and the fire made the barrier arms at the Grove Rd and Lincoln Rd rail crossings inoperable.

The crossings were open but there would be delays as rail staff worked to repair the damage and trains crossed at slow speed, Toll Holdings said.

- NZPA