Labor promises $1.6m safety upgrade for Clarence Park train station after community concerns

More than $1.5 million has been pledged to a deadly Seaford line train stop with a local candidate saying passenger and community safety must come first.

Concerned residents of an southern Adelaide suburb are ecstatic their decade long concerns are finally being heard after a recent million dollar pledge was announced.

A Malinauskas Labor Government would provide $1.6 million for vital works to upgrade Clarence Park Railway Station with candidate for Elder Nadia Clancy saying residents have been asking for some time to upgrade the safety of the station.

“Members of the community, including regulars of the Clarence Park Community Centre which is next to the station, have raised concerns about the station’s safety and overall appeal,” she said.

“We want as many people as possible to feel comfortable using public transport and this upgrade can achieve that.

Labor candidate for Elder Nadia Clancy at the Clarence Park train station. Picture: Supplied

“With a kindergarten opposite as well, we want to make the station as safe as possible.”

The project would incorporate upgrades to lighting, building a bike storage facility, addition of a water fountain, pedestrian safety gates plus revitalisation work including upgrades to CCTV.

Local resident Les Burch said he was pleased the voice of the community was finally being heard after years of falling on deaf ears.

“We’ve been banging on about putting safety gates in at the railway station because around a decade ago a young lad lost his life at the crossing,” he said.

“I am horrified at times to see not only adults but kids too run through the current crossing and there’s nothing to stop them.

“Now with the Flinders line running through the station as well, we have twice as many express trains roaring through now.”

Both Ms Clancy and Labor Member for Badcoe Jayne Stinson said they had listened to strong feedback from residents and worked with community members to find ways the station can be improved.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure when travelling to work or school, to medical appointments and to go shopping," Ms Clancy said.

“Time and time again, while I’m talking to locals in the community, this issue keeps coming up.

“The community wants to feel proud of and safe at their local station.”