Western suburbs railway pedestrian crossings are still closed a year after they were meant to be opened

Pedestrians near playgrounds and cafes are being forced to share level crossings with cars as railway upgrade delays amble into their second year.

• The worst rail stop in the west
• Torrens to Torrens section of South Rd opens

Railway pedestrian crossing upgrades in the west that are more than a year behind schedule have again been delayed, forcing walkers out on the road to traverse the train line.

Crossings at West and Coglin streets, Brompton, and Queen St, Croydon were meant to reopen early last year with automated gates but the project was delayed to April this year.

Now because of “signalling issues”, the completion date has again blown out — this time to October.

In the meantime, the crossing has been boarded up with temporary fencing as the newly installed gates sit unused.

It meant pedestrians instead walk out on the road in order to cross the rail line.

The works were part of the Torrens to Torrens project, which involved an upgrade of Bowden Railway Station.

One of the closed pedestrian crossings at Queen St, Croydon. Photo: Caleb Bond

Those changes have 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.

A Transport Department spokesman did not answer questions about why the opening of the crossings had been continually delayed or why signalling on the pedestrian crossing was different to that of boomgates on the road.

He said pedestrians should use crossings on the other side of the street where gates were not needed.

Opposition Leader and Croydon MP Peter Malinauskas said there was “genuine frustration” among locals about the long-term delays at the crossings.

“It’s certainly unsightly and we’ve got a situation where a project that was meant to deliver more safety, years later is looking like we’re in a situation where it’s less safe,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“I’ve been seeking some clarification for months and it finally culminated in a January meeting with the minister where he assured me verbally, and in writing, that the pedestrian gate would be completed in April this year.”

Follow @TheCalebBond