Seddon, New Zealand

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Seddon
Seddon (Marlborough)
Seddon
Seddon
Coordinates: 41°40′12″S 174°4′25″E / -41.67, 174.07361
Country New Zealand
Region Marlborough
Population (2006)
 - Total 513
The double decker bridge across the Awatere River
The double decker bridge across the Awatere River
Trains use the upper level of the bridge. Road transport used the lower level until a new bridge was completed in 2007
Trains use the upper level of the bridge. Road transport used the lower level until a new bridge was completed in 2007

Seddon is a small town in Marlborough, New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 1, 25 kilometres south of Blenheim and 20 km north of Ward. Seddon is located close to the mouths of the Awatere and Blind Rivers, and also close to the Lake Grassmere salt works.[1][2]

Salt and lime[3] are major local industries, and the Awatere Valley is a developing wine region.[4]

The population was 513 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 39 from 2001.[5]

The town's best known structure is a joint single-lane road-rail bridge spanning the Awatere River which was in service until October 2007. A two lane road bridge has replaced the road bridge component.[6] The railway line continues over the old historic bridge which is the Main North Line and a daily service in each direction of the TranzCoastal passenger express stops in Seddon.

A train derailment at Blind River, south of Seddon, on 25 February 1948, killed six people and injured 40 others.[7]

The town was named for former Prime Minister of New Zealand Richard Seddon.

[edit] Education

Seddon School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 5 and a roll of 110.[8]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Peter Dowling (editor) (2004). Reed New Zealand Atlas. Reed Books, map 67. ISBN 0-7900-0952-8. 
  2. ^ Roger Smith, GeographX (2005). The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand. Robbie Burton, map 147. ISBN 1-877333-20-4. 
  3. ^ "Blenheim". Encyclopedia of New Zealand (1966). 
  4. ^ Awatere River. Marlborough Online.
  5. ^ Final counts – census night and census usually resident populations, and occupied dwellings - Marlborough Region. Statistics New Zealand.
  6. ^ "New Awatere Bridge 'opens' today", The Marlborough Express, 9 November 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. 
  7. ^ Marlborough Historical Society (2005). Click - A Captured Moment - Marlborough's Early Heritage, p 65. ISBN 0-473-10475-X. 
  8. ^ Te Kete Ipurangi - Seddon School. Ministry of Education.

[edit] See also

Coordinates: 41°40′S, 174°05′E