Businesses say Oaklands Crossing traffic snarls are killing trade as Marion Council launches campaign to get intersection fixed

SO fed up are residents and traders of a notoriously congested intersection they say is killing local business, the local council’s taken the unusual step of launching a $47k campaign for a fix.

Dunrobin Pharmacy owner & pharmacist Peter Ramsey, at his Oaklands Park pharmacy. Peter believes he is losing business because customers can't easily drive to his business because of long traffic bank ups on Diagonal Rd. picture: Bianca De Marchi

• Plans unveiled for a $100 million train overpass at Oaklands Park rail crossing
• Marion Council ramps up its fight for a rail overpass at Oaklands Park
• Pressure builds for fix for problem crossing at Oaklands Park

A LOCAL council has today launched a campaign that will cost it tens of thousands of dollars — in a desperate bid to get the issue of dire traffic jams at a major intersection addressed.

Traffic congestion around the Oaklands Crossing is costing nearby businesses their livelihoods and one franchisee says it is forcing her to consider selling.

Vivian Lomman who Runs Curves on Diagonal Rd at Warradale, says she has lost about 20 clients in the past 12 months because traffic jams make it difficult to get in and out of the carpark in front of her gym.

She is now considering selling up, directly blaming the crossing for her business’s demise.

Her concerns come as Marion Council today launches a $47,000 multimedia campaign aimed at getting state and federal politicians to commit to building an overpass for trains at the site — a project costed at $110 million in 2012.

Ms Lomman said she would “absolutely stay — 100 per cent” if she found out the overpass was going ahead.

She believes traffic congestion around the car/rail crossing alone is killing her business, saying it is getting “worse and worse”.

“If they (customers) are coming from Seacombe Heights, when the train is crossing they have days they can be waiting there 20 or 30 minutes.”

The new Marion Council billboard at Oaklands Crossing.

Neighbouring business owner Peter Ramsey of Dunrobin Road Pharmacy echoed Miss Lomman’s concerns.

“I’ve been here for a little over five years,” he said. “It (congestion) has gradually got worse and worse,” Mr Ramsey said.

“After 3pm is the worst time (of day). From 3pm to 5pm it’s terrible.

“It means people can’t get to me — people go elsewhere, even people who live quite close by.”

Warradale Hotel general manager of 14 years Thomas French said late afternoon traffic affected the hotel’s bottle shop in particular, estimating takings were down about 20 per cent during that peak period in the past two to three years.

Marion Council’s “Let’s get Oaklands Crossing Moving” campaign includes a billboard at the crossing, bumper stickers and radio and print advertising on the issue.

Mayor Kris Hanna said a council survey of more than 2000 residents earlier this year found 60.8 per cent were extremely dissatisfied with the crossing and a further 31.1 per cent were not satisfied.

An overpass design released by the State Government in 2012.

Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said the State Government welcomed Marion Council’s interest in the project.

“The State Government committed to the grade separation in the Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan released last year,” he said.

A spokesman for Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester said the government had already committed $2.9 billion for transport infrastrstructure in South Australia between 2013/15 and 2018/19.

“This commitment includes $1.7 billion to complete the three highest priority sections of the North-South Road Corridor upgrade in Adelaide — upgrades of South Road at Darlington and from the Torrens Road to River Torrens and the Northern Connector, linking the Northern Expressway to the northern end of the South Road Superway,” he said.

“The Australian Government works with the South Australian Government to identify priority projects for funding. The SA Government is yet to present a formal proposal to the Australian Government.

“Funding for any new projects, such as a level crossing at Oaklands Park, could be considered in the context of future Budgets, with the necessary support of the South Australian Government.”

For details of Marion Council’s campaign visit oaklandscrossing.com.au

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