Kenilworth railway crossing needs urgent attention

File photo: African News Agency (ANA)

File photo: African News Agency (ANA)

Published Jan 9, 2019

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Cape Town – From time to time horrific incidents of death and mutilation occur at level crossings on our provincial railway system.

The currently semi-guarded crossing on the north side of Kenilworth station is a case in point.

The rickety booms at this crossing seem to work intermittently, sometimes fixed in the “up” position, during which time workers wave small pieces of reddish material in the direction of motorists and pedestrians.

Sometimes they are absent from this vital duty when one has become unsure about the efficacy of the warning lights themselves.

A languid arm sometimes extends from the signal box windows to urge the traffic below either to halt or to continue taking the gap.

This crossing is under huge pressure at all times of the day, with queues of traffic forming in Kenilworth Road on either side of the railway line. Tempers flare with prolonged waits, daring drivers to “beat the booms” if they work.

Authorities should look to it to avert a possible tragedy in this regard.

Neil Veitch

Kenilworth

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