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26 March 2010
Chris Cairns congratulates Ngaruawahia on decrease in bridge jumping
Chris Cairns was in Ngaruawahia today to observe safety measures put in place late last year to deter people from walking across or jumping from the Waikato river rail bridge.
KiwiRail has installed surveillance cameras and erected fencing at the southern end of the bridge.
These were key in a number of initiatives which have significantly reduced the ongoing safety issue which peaks each summer when locals use the bridge as platform to jump into the river during hot weather.
KiwiRail has also worked closely with the local police and Waikato District Council on a range of education initiatives, including visiting local schools to pass on rail safety messages and encouraging young people to stay away from the railway tracks and especially the bridge.
Chris Cairns passed on his thanks to the local police and wider community for their part in encouraging whanau to keep off the rail corridor.
“It is so dangerous to be anywhere near the railway tracks, and I’m pleased that the messages finally seem to be getting through,” he says. “The police have been able to make some successful arrests thanks to KiwiRail’s initiatives and the message seems to be getting through.”
“Trains are heavy and can take up to one kilometre to stop so by the time a train driver sees people on the bridge there is little more he can do than sound his horn. “
KiwiRail received funding for the new fencing from part of a $13m contribution from the Government to improve regional rail services in the Waikato.
CCTV cameras have also been set up on the bridge and these are assisting the local police in identifying bridge jumpers.
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