Commuters call for new park as part of Christie Downs railway station upgrade
TRAIN travellers want a park next to the run-down Christie Downs railway station upgraded to encourage more people to the area and improve safety.
TRAIN travellers want a park next to the run-down Christie Downs railway station upgraded to encourage more people to the area and improve safety.
About 50 residents attended a public meeting at Christie Downs Community House on Saturday to have their say on more than $1 million worth of upgrades to the station.
Most were pleased that the State Government was finally taking action after years of lobbying.
However, others listed a number of demands and ideas to ensure commuters felt safe using the station, including CCTV cameras in the carpark and upgrading the park between the station and Morton Rd.
They want a playground, barbecue area and potentially a skate park – to make the precinct more welcoming.
Onkaparinga Councillor Heather Merritt told the meeting she would suggest it to her fellow elected members.
“Being on the train line is the perfect place for that – that’s why Seaford (skate park) does so well,” Cr Merritt said.
One man said he would feel better using the station, particularly at night, if he knew cameras operated in the carpark.
“My concern is the carpark area because it can be a dangerous place at night,” he said.
“It’s not lit up as well as it should be.”
A Transport Department spokesman told the meeting the pedestrian crossing at the southern end of the station would be upgraded for safety reasons while the crossing at the northern end would be closed because of a growing list of “near misses”.
The news frustrated some residents who often used the northern crossing.
They said upgrades happening at the southern crossing, which include a mazeway and activated pedestrian gate, should also be implemented at the northern end.
The department official then inspected the northern crossing with a group of residents after the meeting – to come up with a compromise.
“People need to be able to access that way (so) we will work with them to make sure that the walkway really works for people,” Reynell MP Katrine Hildyard said.
Other upgrades at the site include levelling the ramp so it is not as steep and uneven, installing new lighting, upgrading CCTV cameras, landscaping, artwork and installing bike loops with the potential to add a bike cage later.
The Transport Department spokesman said the upgrades were expected to be finished by mid-2018.
A number of people were disappointed that the station’s platforms would not be widened as it was difficult at present for wheelchair users.
However, Mrs Hildyard said the approved upgrades were just the beginning.
“We really just need to keep going and articulate that so we can (advocate) for it in the future,” Mrs Hildyard said.
Long-time Christie Downs resident and former Onkaparinga councillor Artie Ferguson was pleased to see change after decades of lobbying for upgrades.
“It’s been a tussle ... but it was always my target,” Mr Ferguson said.
“I’ve been waiting since 1983 to get something done about this train station.”