15 Jul 2015

Botswana Railways is concerned about accidents which occur at Ledumang Rail-Road level crossing, says Mr Nonofho Molefhi.

As such, Mr Molefhi, Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology said he would like it to be installed with sirens, flashing lights and booms. He was answering a question in Parliament on behalf of Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo.

However, he stated that the project could not be done urgently due to budgetary constraints. “That notwithstanding, construction of the full protection at all level crossings remains a high priority for Botswana Railways,” he said.  He said the cause of level crossing crashes was largely due to human error and lack of common sense driving, failure to obey road signs and impatience.

He explained that the Ledumang level crossing had no boom gates because it was constructed as a temporary level crossing during construction of the road over rail bridge at the then Taung level crossing.

He said the level crossing was not closed after construction of the road over rail bridge, as it was considered an alternative route to ease traffic congestion. Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked whether the minister was aware that Ledumang rail cross road did not have a boom gate, hence lives had been lost due to this anomaly. ENDS