KiwiRail and TrackSAFE are urging people to take a good hard look for trains when approaching any rail level crossing during Rail Safety Week 2024.

Ashburton District Council will support the campaign by setting up an information station on the open footpath area near the East/Burnett Street pedestrian railway crossing on Monday 5 August at 8am.

It’s hoped that the station will attract workers who have just crossed the pedestrian railway crossing after parking their car in the West Street carpark, says Neil McCann, Group Manager infrastructure and open spaces.

“These workers are crossing the railway by foot quite often, so we want to do our best to reach them with safety messaging. At the station they will be able to speak with elected council members and staff about rail safety, enter a competition and pick up some giveaways while taking advantage of some free scones.”

It’s timely for Ashburton since trains stopped moving slowly through town when train shunting moved to the Fairton Freight Hub in April, he said.

“It is important for people to recognise that most trains will now be travelling a lot faster, so extreme caution is advised when entering the rail corridor.”

In the year to 30 June, 40 vehicles or people collided with trains across the national rail network and there were 305 near misses.

At public level crossings alone, there were 11 collisions and 192 near misses. Near misses at level crossings have steadily increased since a low of 150 in 2021. All of the collisions at level crossings and 77 per cent of near misses were at crossings that already have active protection.

KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy said 10 people had lost their lives in collisions with trains over the past year.

"The average freight train weighs well over 1000 tonnes and cannot swerve to avoid a person or vehicle or stop quickly. Our locomotive engineers can blow the horn and put on the emergency brakes, but there is often little else they can do.

"It’s also deeply troubling to see that all of the collisions and close to 80 per cent of near misses at level crossings were at crossings that already have flashing lights, bells or barrier arms.

“For this year’s Rail Safety Week campaign, we’re promoting a simple behaviour that will keep people safe,  taking a proper look in either direction, a steely stare and not just a fleeting glance, when you approach a level crossing.”

Rail Safety Week runs from Monday 5 August to Sunday 11 August 2024.