Article: Elderly could struggle when level crossing is lost in revamp

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Elderly could struggle when level crossing is lost in revamp

Elderly could struggle when level crossing is lost in revamp

    by: Greg Thom
    From: Herald Sun
    November 02, 2011 12:00AM

THOMASTOWN residents fear a multi-million-dollar train station redevelopment will become a senior citizen no-go zone and a haven for drug dealers.

The station is due to open on November 28 as part of the $640 million South Morang rail extension.

It features security innovations, such as glass lifts, CCTV cameras and exposed lines of sight designed to deter antisocial behaviour.

The station is dominated by a pedestrian overpass spanning the new line, set to replace the existing High St level crossing.

But residents and traders have expressed concern the development will have a devastating impact on the elderly.

They said the structure, with 39 steps each side, is too much for senior citizens to negotiate in order to get to the shops on the High St side of the tracks.

Locals also believe the lifts could be prone to breaking down and monopolised by drug users, putting the elderly, wheelchair-bound commuters and mothers with prams at risk.

Thomastown News and Lotto owner Vaikunth Gohil, said many residents would be too scared to use the station lifts.

"This is a drug-prone area and drug users will be shooting up in the lifts," he said.

The station will be staffed from the first to last train, but Mr Gohil said: "What happens after the last train leaves?"

A 480-name petition calling to keep pedestrian access across the tracks was sent to State Parliament.

"We are not asking them (the Government) to spend any more money," he said. "We just want them to leave the ramp (crossing) as it is."

In a written response, Transport Minister Terry Mulder said there was little he could do.

"I share your concerns at how the provision of lifts and stairs, without other crossing options, is not ideal," Mr Mulder said.

"I examined whether it would be affordable to change the design of new stations at Thomastown, Epping and South Morang to include ramps.

"The Department of Transport advised me this would be very expensive."

[Gazza]

Some points.

-No, people won't shoot up in the lifts, it would have to be a bloody quick shootup, plus the lifts are glass.

-They ask what happens once the last train is gone.... Well why would the elderley be hanging around a shopping strip at 1 am?

-If the area is a trouble spot, why would you trust people around at grade ped gates?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Damn those pesky retires thinking the own the train station at night time. I'm sick and tired of them hasseling me because my shirt is untucked or my shoes aren't pollished enough while they sit around and pop pills all day. But one thing that ticks me off is them playing their annoying records on their gramophones at midnight. Where are their children while all this is going on. Some might have to take centrelink cuts if their kids don't whip them into line.

[SurfRail]

Some points.

-No, people won't shoot up in the lifts, it would have to be a bloody quick shootup, plus the lifts are glass.

-They ask what happens once the last train is gone.... Well why would the elderley be hanging around a shopping strip at 1 am?

-If the area is a trouble spot, why would you trust people around at grade ped gates?

I'd be more concerned about people using the lifts as toilet cubicles than shooting galleries.  But, there are plenty of Melbourne stations where that would likely improve the usual odour...

[Gazza]

^You do notice how dirty Melbourne stations are compared to Melbourne. The worst we put up with in general seems to be water leaks in subways.