Brendan Horan MP
Spokesperson for Transport
22 August 2012
Flawed Kiwirail Turnaround Plan Creates Big Safety Issues
New Zealand First says the Government’s deeply flawed KiwiRail Turnaround Plan has created a raft of serious health and
safety issues within our national railway.
Transport spokesman Brendan Horan says the Turnaround Plan is cutting 181 KiwiRail maintenance jobs at the very time
they are needed most.
“Investigations have already uncovered one dangerous rail crossing at Ruffles Rd on the Main Trunk Line near Hamilton
where dodgy sleepers are held in place by little more than asphalt.
“This could well lead to a derailment disaster with the loss of a significant number of lives.”
Mr Horan says skilled KiwiRail maintenance workers are being replaced by contractors, some of whom are flouting health
and safety regulations.
“There were moves today to blacklist one contracting company for these sorts of regulation breaches which puts at risk
all those who work alongside them.
“It is time for the Government to launch an inquiry into its Turnaround Plan so adequate maintenance of our rail network
and the retention of KiwiRail jobs becomes a priority,” says Mr Horan.
ENDS