From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m 20s
Greens' level crossing plan interrupted by train near miss
Greens' transport policy announcement halted by train near miss at Auckland crossing.
In brief
Greens' transport policy announcement halted by train near miss at Auckland crossing. Greens' plan to remove Auckland level crossings to improve safety and reduce congestion was interrupted by a train near miss during their announcement. Originally reported by RNZ.
Greens announce level crossing removal plan
The Greens announced plans to fund removal of Auckland Western line level crossings to improve pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle safety.
Near miss during announcement
Co-leaders Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson witnessed a train near miss while announcing the policy at Morningside level crossing.
Swarbrick's safety warning
Swarbrick pointed to a driver crossing the tracks as the train approached, calling it 'incredibly, incredibly dangerous' and a case in point for why level crossings must be removed.
“Did you see that? Somebody just driving across the crossing as the train was coming.”
Funding and capacity improvements
The Greens' $2.5 billion plan would add 12 trains per hour on the Western Line and allow the CRL to run at full capacity of 48 trains per hour.
Swarbrick on Auckland deal
Swarbrick said the level crossing funding was 'just the most productive investments' for Auckland and should have been included in the regional deal.
“just the most productive investments that we could possibly be making in our transport infrastructure”
National Party criticism
The Greens contrasted their approach with the National Party's focus on road expansion, calling it 'dogmatic ideological pursuit of roads, roads, roads, more lanes and more lanes'.
“dogmatic ideological pursuit of roads, roads, roads, more lanes and more lanes”
At a glance
Greens' plan to remove Auckland level crossings to improve safety and reduce congestion was interrupted by a train near miss during their announcement.
