Brendan Horan MP
Spokesperson for Transport

28 August 2012

More Kiwirail Safety Issues Uncovered By NZ First

New Zealand First has renewed calls for the Government to launch a full scale inquiry into its KiwiRail Turnaround Plan which is responsible for creating a dangerous rail network.

Transport spokesperson Brendan Horan says new danger hotspots linked to a lack of rail maintenance have been uncovered.

“The state of one rotting wooden bridge just outside Tauranga – within an area dubbed the ‘Golden Triangle Route’ – is of major concern.

“It doesn’t take an expert to see that the bridge is in terrible shape with split, rotting and unstable components which causes it to sway alarmingly when a locomotive travels across it.”

Mr Horan has also received verbal reports about poisonous gas building up to dangerous levels in the Kaimai Tunnel.

“My industry contacts say that last Saturday KiwiRail contractors ignored warnings and continued to work in the gaseous conditions, only to feel unwell after leaving the tunnel.

“Government inaction over these sorts of safety issues is putting lives at risk. A review into its Turnaround Plan is needed now before disaster strikes.”

ENDS

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