Railway station filth disgusts

BY MICHAEL BERRY

The Blenheim Railway Station is an embarrassing welcome to visitors to the town, say two Blenheim men.

Bill Cox and Robert Crichton, both retired, say at times the amount of rubbish and cigarette butts littered around the building and railway tracks was unsightly and unsanitary.

Mr Cox said the rubbish could attract vermin and give visitors a bad impression.

Mr Crichton said: "A hell of a lot of people have this as the first sight of Blenheim or the last. If it's the first, it's not pleasing for them; and if it's the last they go away with a bad impression."

Sheltered seats were needed as some people waiting for their train were forced to sit on the platform, he said.

"If you have ever tried waiting there with an easterly blowing with a bit of rain in it you will know it's not pleasant."

Mr Cox said cleaning up rubbish in the area would be a good job for the Community Probation Service.

State-owned enterprise Ontrack owns Blenheim Railway Station and leases it to Destination Marlborough for use as an i-Site; the car park is owned by Marlborough District Council.

It is understood the empty lot across the tracks from the platform is privately owned.

Destination Marlborough general manager Tracy Johnston said the look of the station was not good for tourism.

However, there were plans to fix the problems.

Destination Marlborough, the council and Ontrack were working together on plans for a new i-Site building and future use of the railway station building, she said.

The plans would be presented to the council within weeks, she said.

The rubbish around the station and car park was collected by a contractor for the council who could be called out by i-SITE staff when needed, she said.

"They are fairly quick to come in when we give them a call and clean it up."

It was frustrating that people continued to litter, she said.

Mayor Alistair Sowman was also frustrated.

It was a "daily exercise" to keep the area clean, he said.

"It's the gateway to the province for many people. We're hoping that the new plans make people have a bit more pride for the place."

- The Marlborough Express