Rail crossings

Archive - this information is for reference only and no longer maintained.

This page relates to the 2018-21 National Land Transport Programme.

IntroductionBack to top

The following policy applies when an approved organisation or Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (state highways) requests funding assistance for the construction, renewal or maintenance of rail crossings.

Policy principlesBack to top

This policy draws its principles from the Railways Act 2005(external link) (the Act), which promotes the safety of rail operations. Part 3 of the Act sets out the law relating to management of the rail corridor. In several places, it also clarifies the responsibilities of approved organisations, Waka Kotahi (state highways) and rail access providers.

Pertinent sections of the ActBack to top

The sections of the Act that especially affect approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (state highways) are noted below:

• s.74 – railway drains
• s.75 – easements over railway land
• s.76 – lights and signs near a railway
• s.77 – prevention of damage to railway
• s.81 – warning devices at level crossings
• s.82 – gates and cattle stops
• s.83 – maintenance of railway crossings
• s.84 – management of railway along or across a road
• s.86 – rights of entry
• s.87 – maintenance of rail infrastructure on roads
• s.88 – notice before alteration of rail infrastructure on roads
• s.91 – charging for access to road reserve.

Qualifying for National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) considerationBack to top

Rail crossing activities that qualify for inclusion in the NLTP include:

• Work category 321: New traffic management facilities for construction of a rail crossing
• Work category 131: Rail level crossing warning devices maintenance

Applying for funding approvalBack to top

The improvement activity module in Transport Investment Online(external link) (TIO) should be used to apply for funding assistance for the construction costs of a rail crossing activity.

Maintenance of a rail crossing should be part of an approved maintenance programme entered into TIO through the maintenance, operations and renewals module.