Fenced-off railway crossings in Brompton and Croydon to reopen after two years
Walkers have been forced to walk on the road at western suburbs pedestrian crossings for nearly two years because they’ve been boarded up after upgrades – but they are finally about to reopen.
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Railway pedestrian crossings that have been closed for nearly two years because of “signalling issues” – forcing walkers on to the road – are finally set to reopen.
The crossings at West and Coglin streets, Brompton, and Queen St, Croydon were meant to reopen early last year with automated gates.
They are now set to swing into action on October 10.
The gates have sat boarded-up throughout the saga and pedestrians instead took to walking out on the road in order to cross the rail line, which was upgraded as part of the Torrens to Torrens project.
Changes at Bowden Railway Station resulted in a reduction of the line of sight for oncoming trains at the three intersections – meaning automated gates had to be installed to comply with Australian standards.
Croydon resident Debra Baum said she was glad the crossing would finally reopen after all the stalling.
“Every time I go past I see someone with a pram or with some sort of gopher or mobility aid on the road,” Mrs Baum said.
“There’s no safe space for them to travel. There is an underpass but it’s a lengthy way to go around.”
She said the closure had been “extremely frustrating”.
“You’re OK with it being closed for a few months, mistakes happen and things get missed, but this has been two years now with no feedback from DPTI or anyone on when we could expect an opening date,” she said.
Opposition Leader and Croydon MP Peter Malinauskas, who has been campaigning for the reopening of the crossings, said he was “just grateful” the project would finally be over.
“This has been going on for basically two years and I think people in the local community understand the Torrens to Torrens junction project would take time, but it’s become a source of extraordinary frustration,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“Myself and the community have been told repeatedly that signalling issues have been the problem here.
“People understand we have to get things right, but why it has taken as long as it has is really inexplicable.”