Flinders Link project: Residents fight against Tonsley station closure

COMMUTERS say they will be left isolated and disadvantaged when their local railway station is permanently closed as part of the $85 million Flinders Link project.

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COMMUTERS say they will be left isolated and disadvantaged when the Tonsley railway station is permanently closed as part of the $85 million Flinders Link project.

Tonsley and Mitchell Park residents have thrown their support behind a campaign to save the station.

An online petition started two weeks ago has already gained more than 500 signatures.

Head petitioner Jodie Pearce said removal of the station discriminated against local residents, particularly a large number of elderly and disabled people in the surrounding area.

“For many people the train is their only affordable access to independent travel – especially for wheelchair users and people with disabilities, short stature or frail health,” she said.

“Flinders Link is essentially ‘unlinking’ the local community by withdrawing access to the train service.”

Her concern is focused in particular at the southern part of Mitchell Park, served by Tonsley station.

A DPTI concept design from 2015 showing a Tonsley station.

The Flinders Link project involves a 650m extension of the Tonsley line to Flinders University’s Bedford Park campus.

A bridge will need to be built over Sturt Rd for the train line, which requires the track to be gradually elevated – beginning before the current location of Tonsley station.

Funding for the project was announced in May last year with the news that the project required the station to be removed.

A date is yet to be determined for its closure.

Mrs Pearce, who is a wheelchair user, said access to the Tonsley line was essential for residents to access employment, education, healthcare and local services.

The closest station to Tonsley, Clovelly Park, is almost 1km away.

The new station at Flinders University – replacing the existing Tonsley station – will be located uphill more than 500m to the south.

Mrs Pearce said Clovelly Park station was not disability-compliant, unlike Tonsley.

An artist's impression of the Tonsley train line extension across Main South Rd.

Marion Council is talking to the State Government about moving and upgrading the Clovelly Park and Mitchell Park train stations so that they cater for the northern and southern ends of the Tonsley development site, where about 850 new homes will be built.

A Transport Department spokesman said it was continuing to work with the community on the location of stations as part of the project.

“We are aware of these concerns and are committed to continue working with the community,” he said.

“The station will remain open throughout construction and is being considered as part of a broader review of stations on the Tonsley rail line.”

The review, he said, would include ensuring stations complied with the Disability and Discrimination Act.

Removal of Tonsley Station will force people into cars because they CAN'T walk the extra 902m to Clovelly Park/650m uphill to FMC. Let's add to parking congestion etc #fixoaklandscrossing #savetonsleystation https://t.co/MPr6vt5h9v @DPTI_SA @sagovau @RenewalSA @KatrineHildyard

— Jodiebodie (@Jodiebodie2) December 8, 2017

However, Mrs Pearce described the department’s conduct in the consultation process so far as obstructive, stonewalling and using delaying tactics.

“They letterboxed only five or so streets,” she said.

“We’ve been trying to get information about the future of the station but DPTI (the department) has strung us along for one and a half years.”

The department spokesman said a procurement process for the Flinders Link project was currently underway but no date had been set for construction.