NSW Government to spend $200k on Ashfield train fence after train network meltdown during FIFA Women’s World Cup

Thousands of dollars will be spent fortifying a train signal compound in response to an act of vandalism that brought trains to a standstill during the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

Almost $200,000 will be spent fortifying a train signal compound in response to an alleged act of vandalism that brought Sydney’s public transport system to a standstill and left thousands of football fans fuming.

Spectators who turned out for last month’s Matildas semi-final clash against England faced extensive delays after cables were allegedly cut at a railway signal box near Ashfield train station.

The incident impacted signalling equipment across the Sydney train network and caused major headaches for spectators trying to get home by train from the Matildas clash at Sydney Olympic Park.

An estimated crowd of 100,000 people had travelled to Olympic Park for the August 16 game along with a Luke Combs concert held on the same night at Qudos Bank Arena.

It took until midnight until trains were back to running on time after passengers were left standing on platforms for up to two hours.

Fans were left stranded as they waited for trains after the Matildas semi-final match at Sydney Olympic Park.

Two men – Damian Stewart, 47, and Anthony Pike, 33, were later arrested and charged with breaking and entering, damaging property, trespassing and endangering the safety of people on a railway.

Burwood Local Court heard Stewart was living rough around Ashfield Station at the time of the incident and allegedly stood outside while Pike allegedly cut wires in a train service room.

A photo of the crowds impacted by train delays during the World Cup semi final.

Police prosecutors alleged the incident caused about $15,000 worth of damage and resulted in 140 trains being cancelled.

Both men have been refused bail and are due to reappear in court next month.

In the wake of the incident, Premier Chris Minns launched an urgent security review of critical rail infrastructure.

Transport for NSW has now confirmed it will spend $198,809 on constructing improved security fencing at the Ashfield signal compound in response to the incident.

A photo of crowds at Olympic Park after the World Cup semi-final. Picture: Andrew Beatty/Twitter

The construction of the fence will be outsourced to Penrith company Northern Fencing Specialists.

A spokesman for the company said the fence would be similar to those installed at NSW prisons and would incorporate security measures such as “anti-climbing” components to deter vandals.

“It’s not like standard fencing – the heavy duty componentry is very difficult to cut and trespassers aren’t able to get a grip on it to climb over,” he said.

A Sydney Trains spokeswoman said additional security measures have also been put in place at the Ashfield compound including increasing the “integrity of fencing”, additional door locks, and “other deterrents to prevent trespassing”.

“Security patrols are also deployed to assist in maintaining vigilance and deterring trespassers,” the spokeswoman said.

She said the security measures were not previously implemented at the site as “incidents such as the one that occurred at Ashfield are rare and Sydney Trains has had no reported incidents at this location previously”.

“Sydney Trains has an ongoing Critical Infrastructure Security Upgrade Program, which commenced in 2021,” she said. “The security enhancements were already planned but the timeline has been brought forward to further increase security at the site.”