Residents of Abotia, located along the Tema-Mpakadan rail line, are appealing to the Ministry of Railway Development to establish pedestrian walkways and access routes for their community to prevent train accidents.
The residents’ concerns stem from a recent incident where a train collided with a truck that was stuck on the rail lines while attempting to cross the community on Thursday.
Currently, the Abotia community faces danger crossing over the rail line, as residents, including school children, have to navigate the slopes to cross the tracks.
In addition to the pedestrian challenges, residents also seek an access route that would accommodate heavy trucks for transporting building materials to the rapidly growing area.
The existing 3-meter height under-bridge located at the far end of the community poses difficulties for truck access.
Belko Abubakari, Assembly Member for the Ayimagonu Electoral Area, expressed the community’s struggle in accessing their homes and emphasized the necessity of access roads.
He called on the Ghana Railway Authority to collaborate with the communities to find solutions.
The residents’ concerns stem from a recent incident where a train collided with a truck that was stuck on the rail lines while attempting to cross the community on Thursday after encountering difficulty in using the 3m height underbridge.
The accident involved one of the newly imported Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains, produced by a Polish manufacturer, during a test run on the Tema-Mpakadan railway route.
Fortunately,no injuries being reported among passengers.
The driver of the Hyundai Gold 5-ton vehicle was arrested and sentenced to six months in jail by the Juapong Circuit Court on Friday.
Both the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, and the District Chief Executive for North Tongu, Divine Osborn Fenu, support the community’s call for access routes and safety measures.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Kojo Ansah