State Liberal Party commits to keep railway crossing open should in win power in the March election
THE Opposition has vowed to keep open a pedestrian railway crossing that the State Government wants to shut for safety reasons.
- Seacliff residents fight closure of Pine Ave railway crossing
- Crossings to be upgraded and others to close because of safety issues
- Idiots force five more Adelaide train pedestrian crossings to be closed
- Council backs locals’ calls to save railway crossing
THE Liberal Party has pledged to keep open a pedestrian railway crossing – set for closure by the State Government – which it says is a critical walking link within the Seacliff and Kingston Park community.
Bright MP David Speirs says the Pine Ave crossing will remain open, should the Liberals win power in March.
“If there is a genuine safety concern, there are other solutions to improve safety, including a system of pedestrian lights or automatic gates if required,” Mr Speirs said.
“I have no doubt that the closure of the crossing will seriously impact upon the livability of the area.”
Mr Speirs and opposition transport spokesman David Pisoni recently visited the crossing and spoke with local residents to hear their concerns.
Mr Pisoni described the government’s approach to the issue as “lazy”.
The State Government wants to close five crossings because of safety risks, including Pine Ave, while upgrading five others along the Seaford line.
The Seacliff community has shown strong opposition to plans to close the crossing and an online petition to Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan keep it open has garnered 244 signatures.
Holdfast Bay Council backed the community calls last month to keep the pedestrian crossing open claiming closing it would isolate elderly residents.
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.
A Transport Department spokeswoman said Pine Ave had been proposed for closure given its proximity to safer alternatives.
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.
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.
