Holdfast Bay Council backs locals in opposing Seacliff pedestrian railway crossing

A LOCAL council has backed community calls to keep a pedestrian railway crossing open, claiming closing it would isolate elderly residents.

A railway crossing to be closed at Pine Ave, Seacliff. Picture: Eugene Boisvert

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HOLDFAST Bay Council has backed community calls to keep a Seacliff pedestrian railway crossing open claiming closing it would isolate elderly residents.

Councillors have voted to oppose a closure planned at the end of the year due to “safety risks”, and request that the State Transport Department instead upgrade the crossing.

Cr Susan Lonie told the July 25 meeting that, if it was closed, some locals would likely drive instead of walking and cycling, or leave their homes less often.

“This is about the health of the community ... we want people out and being active – we don’t want them to suddenly get into a car instead,” she said.

Cr Lonie said the crossing was a beach access commonly used by the nearby Seacliff Primary, a kindergarten, child care centre, Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club and Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club.

The Seacliff community has shown strong opposition to State Government plans to close the crossing and an online petition to Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan keep it open has garnered 241 signatures.

Jan Purnell and Kinda Snyder at the Pine Ave crossing. They are among locals who oppose its closure. Picture: Eugene Boisvert.

A Transport Department spokeswoman said Pine Ave had been proposed for closure given its proximity to safer alternatives.

“Pine Avenue pedestrian crossing is a dual track crossing on a relatively high speed part of the network, with limited sighting for oncoming trains,” she said.

“Pedestrian safety is our priority and (the Transport Department) is committed to working with the community and council to understand their concerns.”

A railway crossing to be closed at King St, Brighton. Picture: Eugene Boisvert

The Transport Department also plans to close crossings at King St, Brighton; Carlton St, Oaklands Park; and at the Hallett Cove and Christie Downs railway stations.

It will also upgrade five other crossings in the area with electronic gates and buzzers to improve safety, none of which are close to Pine Ave.

They include Seventh Ave, Hove; Beach Rd and Dunluce Ave, Brighton; and at the Hove and Christie Downs stations. The work will cost $2.5 million.

Cr Mikki Bouchee said while the safety issues were understandable, it would put up a barrier for elderly people who weren’t able to walk the distance to the next crossing.

“I think for a healthy community, for our people not being isolated and so people don’t get lazy, we need to keep Pine Ave,” she said.

“If they close it they won’t reopen it.”