Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty has urged KiwiRail to listen to the community and scrap its plan to close the level crossing on Judds Rd, which would make the street a dead end.
In a letter sent to KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy on Tuesday, McAnulty said closing the crossing would hurt businesses and increase risk at the SH2 intersection at the other end of Judds Rd.
“I believe the community will be left scratching its head wondering why, having at long last secured a roundabout [at Ngaumutawa Rd], heavy goods vehicles will be going to and from Judds Rd along SH2,” he said.
The local MP accepted KiwiRail was consulting on the proposals, and hoped it would be more substantial than the efforts from Waka Kotahi regarding speed limits on SH2.
“My concern is that we not see a repeat of the outcome of the recent NZTA Waka Kotahi SH2 speed reduction consultation, which has seen the community’s faith in pubic consultation take a significant hit,” McAnulty said.
“After this experience, I believe the community expects that far greater consideration and weight be given to its views.”
A public meeting regarding the proposed crossing closure will be held today at 12:30pm at Copthorne Hotel Solway Park.
