Road closure leads to residents' anger

Thousands of local residents use the road as a shortcut through northern Ra'anana to the beach highway.

By MIRIAM BULWAR DAVID-HAY (TRANSLATED)
Residents of northern Ra'anana and surrounding areas have been dismayed to discover that Israel Railways has suddenly closed the road leading from Kfar Nachman to the beach highway, reports www.local.co.il. Thousands of local residents use the road as a shortcut through northern Ra'anana to the beach highway (Kvish Ha'hof) near Moshav Rishpon as they travel to work each day, but Israel Railways says it poses a serious danger because it crosses the train line. According to the report, many residents have expressed anger at the closure, saying the road enabled them to avoid the chronic traffic jams at all the major entrances and exits to Ra'anana every day. But Israel Railways says a senior committee decided to close the road permanently because of the "grave danger to safety" it creates at its meeting point with the railway line. An Israel Railways spokesman said that over the next few months, vehicles would be allowed onto the road at fixed times to gain access to the various reception centers in the area, but after this the road would be entirely and permanently shut off to traffic. A Ra'anana municipal spokesman said Israel Railways had not advised or consulted the city before making its decision, but that the area was outside the city's jurisdiction.