PLANS to build a multimillion-dollar railway underpass in Brighton ahead of the separation of a fatal St Albans crossing have been shelved.
The state government will instead install automated boom gates at Brighton Beach station after a $2 million feasibility study found that removing the level crossing would not provide value for money.
No date has been set for the promised removal of the St Albans’ Main Road crossing, despite the railway sitting at number four on the state government’s priority list. Brighton Beach is number 223.
Opponents claimed the Brighton Beach level crossing was given priority ahead of hundreds of others only because deputy Liberal leader Louise Asher had made an election promise to Brighton voters.
Ms Asher told the Weekly the crossing was pursued before others because Brighton residents had been “putting up with a lack of access between New Street and Beach Road for too long”.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the feasibility study found the best way to restore access between New Street and Beach Road was to reopen the crossing.
The government has not disclosed the expected cost of the new project.
A spokeswoman for Mr Mulder said the government had identified the crossing at Main Road, St Albans, as a priority project.
Mr Mulder had also reversed a decision to remove two level crossings in Anderson Road, Sunshine, as part of the Regional Rail Link project.
A St Albans resident of more than 40 years, who asked not to be named, said safety was the responsibility of drivers and pedestrians.
“I don’t see why its been made to be such a big deal when if people were cautious and did the right thing the crossing wouldn’t be an issue.”
As reported by the Weekly, St Albans Traders Association Sebastian Agricola last week accused the government of keeping residents in the dark about its plans for the St Albans crossing.
He sought assurances that the project would proceed.
