Level crossings and Grade separation - level crossing removal

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Level crossing removal stagnates in Queensland

2nd December 2020

We welcome the commitments to rail in the State Budget 2020-21.  We note though there is no funding in the budget for more level crossing removals.
The removal of level crossings has stagnated in SEQ. The last level crossings removed were done in 2014.  Since then there has been none.  Contrast this to Victoria, which in that time has removed 43 level crossings and is working towards removing a total of 75 by 2025 (1).

There are a lot of benefits when level crossings are removed. It is not only motorists that benefit. Daniel Bowen (PTUA Victoria) has done an informative blog on this. ' Benefits to non-motorists from level crossing removals https://www.danielbowen.com/2015/12/15/grade-separation-benefits/ '

There are around 52 level crossings on the Queensland Rail Citytrain Network south of Caboolture.  Unless there is a commitment from both sides of the political fence to step up the rate of level crossing elimination (grade separation) there will be increasing impacts on the road transport network and the reliability and safety of rail itself.

We suggest that from this point on, there needs to be a firm commitment to eliminate at least two open level crossings per financial year in SEQ.  The Victorian Government has progressed the removal of level crossings at a rate not seen before.  They have removed 43 level crossings (1) in the last few years and plan to remove a total of 75 by 2025!  Contrast this to Queensland which has not removed any.

We suggest the Queensland Government set up an authority similar to the Level Crossing Removal Project in Victoria.  They should also liaise with Victoria on the lessons they have gained from their recent experiences with level crossing elimination.

We agree with Brisbane City Council that the failure to not grade separate rail and road at Lindum is not satisfactory (2).

It is also proposed that there will be increased train service frequencies post Cross River Rail.  For example, 5 minute services on the Gold Coast line during peaks.  The impact of this frequency on level crossings will be profound. When one considers that the 4 most dangerous level crossings (3) are: Warrigal Rd in Fruitgrove, Old Beaudesert Rd in Salisbury, Trinder Crossing at Trinder Park, and Stones Rd in Sunnybank, are on the Gold Coast / Beenleigh line, a potential catastrophic situation awaits as frustrated motor vehicle drivers are tempted to race boom gates. When you take into account the Gold Coast services, the Beenleigh all station trains,  and the counter-peak services, it is likely that the boom gates would be down for around 40 minutes at a minimum in the hour during peaks. Clearly unmanageable.

We are looking for a real committment by Government and the Opposition to accelerating the removal of level crossings. There is strong community support (4).

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

References:

1. Level Crossing Removal Project https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

2. Brisbane City Council takes aim at government over bayside rail crossing
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/brisbane-city-council-takes-aim-at-government-over-bayside-rail-crossing-20201201-p56joy.html

3. Near-misses at level crossings increase despite campaign urging motorist care
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/nearmisses-at-level-crossings-increase-despite-campaign-urging-motorist-care/news-story/56fc9e23abd48d919a6725d618424b65?fbclid=IwAR2VLYyxAsuxaOYMSm6sYbJBq3Bqe5MtKW4iCiJ4JSUJ2xANWvcywLx-tnY

4. 28th April 2019: Which level crossings would you like to see removed in SEQ?
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/258514000816683

====

Facebook ...

Level crossing removal stagnates in Queensland 2nd December 2020 We welcome the commitments to rail in the State...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Tuesday, 1 December 2020

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Budget fails to fund removing 52 level crossings in southeast

Extract:

A transport advocacy group has called for more funding in the State Budget to fix dangerous level crossings at 52 roads south of Caboolture.

Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow welcomed the commitments to rail in yesterday's State Budget but noted there was no funding for more level crossing removals.

He called on the state government to commit to eliminating at least two open level crossings every financial year in southeast Queensland.

He said the Victorian Government had removed 43 level crossings in the last few years and planned to remove 75 by 2025, while Queensland had not removed any.

"The removal of level crossings has stagnated in southeast Queensland," he said.

"The last level crossings removed were done in 2014 and since then there has been none.

"Contrast that to Victoria, which in that time has removed 43 level crossings and is working towards removing a total of 75 by 2025."

Mr Dow said removing the crossings was imperative ahead of Cross River Rail, when there will be increased train service frequencies including five-minute services on the Gold Coast line during peaks. ....

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1333840361555255296

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1333841802160340992

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1333920512817303552

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Some insights about level crossings

3rd December 2020

Good Morning,

I will share with you some insights about level crossings. I grew up in Melbourne in the 1950s/60s and even then I knew that the number and position of the level crossings in Melbourne was going to cause very significant problems with road traffic including buses, apart from the acute safety risks.  Myself and others even advocated for level crossing removal in the 1960s.  If Governments had listened a lot of grief, pain and money would have saved. Over the years I saw the situation deteriorate to the point that some level crossings were closed up to 50 minutes or more in an hour to  road traffic and pedestrians, as ever increasing numbers of trains rolled by.  This was chaotic of course and was one of the drivers for the Victorian Government to embark on their level crossing removal program in financial year 2015-16.  The results have been nothing less than spectacular and have been of great benefit to Melbourne. They plan to remove a total of 75 level crossings by 2025, and since 2015 have removed 43 of those. A stark contrast to Queensland, which has removed none in the same time period.

Fast forward to Queensland.  There are around 52 level crossings south of Caboolture on the Queensland Rail Citytrain network.

RAIL Back On Track made a successful RTI application for a DTMR report titled ' Cost-Benefit Analysis of Open Level Crossing Elimination 11 July 2012 ' A copy of which may be accessed here > https://backontrack.org/docs/LX/LXreport.pdf
This outlines a priority for level crossing removals.

It is important that the Queensland State Government take level crossing removal seriously and with urgent priority.  The correct approach from here would be to replicate the Victoria Governments strong lead.  Set up a Level Crossing Removal Authority, tap into the expertise gained in Victoria, and commit to removing a minimum of 2 (do more when possible) level crossings each financial year from here on.  The longer these level crossing removals are not done, the worse the impacts will be, and the greater the costs both human and financial.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

Level crossing removal stagnates in Queensland

2nd December 2020

We welcome the commitments to rail in the State Budget 2020-21.  We note though there is no funding in the budget for more level crossing removals.
The removal of level crossings has stagnated in SEQ. The last level crossings removed were done in 2014.  Since then there has been none.  Contrast this to Victoria, which in that time has removed 43 level crossings and is working towards removing a total of 75 by 2025 (1).

There are a lot of benefits when level crossings are removed. It is not only motorists that benefit. Daniel Bowen (PTUA Victoria) has done an informative blog on this. ' Benefits to non-motorists from level crossing removals https://www.danielbowen.com/2015/12/15/grade-separation-benefits/ '

There are around 52 level crossings on the Queensland Rail Citytrain Network south of Caboolture.  Unless there is a commitment from both sides of the political fence to step up the rate of level crossing elimination (grade separation) there will be increasing impacts on the road transport network and the reliability and safety of rail itself.

We suggest that from this point on, there needs to be a firm commitment to eliminate at least two open level crossings per financial year in SEQ.  The Victorian Government has progressed the removal of level crossings at a rate not seen before.  They have removed 43 level crossings (1) in the last few years and plan to remove a total of 75 by 2025!  Contrast this to Queensland which has not removed any.

We suggest the Queensland Government set up an authority similar to the Level Crossing Removal Project in Victoria.  They should also liaise with Victoria on the lessons they have gained from their recent experiences with level crossing elimination.

We agree with Brisbane City Council that the failure to not grade separate rail and road at Lindum is not satisfactory (2).

It is also proposed that there will be increased train service frequencies post Cross River Rail.  For example, 5 minute services on the Gold Coast line during peaks.  The impact of this frequency on level crossings will be profound. When one considers that the 4 most dangerous level crossings (3) are: Warrigal Rd in Fruitgrove, Old Beaudesert Rd in Salisbury, Trinder Crossing at Trinder Park, and Stones Rd in Sunnybank, are on the Gold Coast / Beenleigh line, a potential catastrophic situation awaits as frustrated motor vehicle drivers are tempted to race boom gates. When you take into account the Gold Coast services, the Beenleigh all station trains,  and the counter-peak services, it is likely that the boom gates would be down for around 40 minutes at a minimum in the hour during peaks. Clearly unmanageable.

We are looking for a real committment by Government and the Opposition to accelerating the removal of level crossings. There is strong community support (4).

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

References:

1. Level Crossing Removal Project https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

2. Brisbane City Council takes aim at government over bayside rail crossing
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/brisbane-city-council-takes-aim-at-government-over-bayside-rail-crossing-20201201-p56joy.html

3. Near-misses at level crossings increase despite campaign urging motorist care
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/nearmisses-at-level-crossings-increase-despite-campaign-urging-motorist-care/news-story/56fc9e23abd48d919a6725d618424b65?fbclid=IwAR2VLYyxAsuxaOYMSm6sYbJBq3Bqe5MtKW4iCiJ4JSUJ2xANWvcywLx-tnY

4. 28th April 2019: Which level crossings would you like to see removed in SEQ?
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/258514000816683

====

Facebook ...

Level crossing removal stagnates in Queensland 2nd December 2020 We welcome the commitments to rail in the State...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Posted > https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/4033783619969128?comment_id=4036171213063702

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1334157513025982465

[ozbob]

Redland City Bulletin --> Rail Back on Track calls for removal of level crossings from south-east Queensland railway lines

...  "We have about 52 level crossings south of Caboolture on our network," Mr Dow said. "Of those, there are probably 20 to 25 that you could consider high priority to remove.

"All level crossings present a safety risk of course, that is one of the main reasons to remove them.

"But there is also other consequences such as disruptions to traffic, congestion that causes busses to run late and pedestrians getting trapped so they can't get to the other side to catch their train." ...

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https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1340055763088130049

[ozbob]

https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/IFA_301237_2021%20Infrastructure%20Priority%20List%20FA2%20Navigable%20WEB%20Flat%20EXT%20FINAL.pdf

Page 110

Problem

South East Queensland's Citytrain network
includes 65 level crossings. Most of these
level crossings are in urban environments,
which can lead to congestion and safety
issues.

Level crossings provide important
connectivity for vehicles, cyclists and
pedestrians across train lines, but also result
in increased road congestion, safety risks
and disruption to local accessibility and
movement.
Pedestrian and vehicle collisions and
boom strike crashes can result in injuries or
fatalities, as well as property damage and
delays on the network.

There are over 1,200 daily rail services on
the Citytrain network, and over 450,000
vehicles that travel through a level crossing
on an average weekday in South East
Queensland. This results in delays from
boom gate closures.

Level crossings also create safety risks
through near misses. They can also create
barriers between different parts of a
community and impact on local amenity.

Proposed initiative

The initiative could be addressed through
a network-wide program to identify,
prioritise and treat level crossings in South
East Queensland. This would improve
network efficiency, safety, and amenity for
communities.

The program should consider a wide range
of options to remove level crossings or
minimise their impacts.
This could include traffic restrictions, road
closures, demand management, removing
level crossings, and potentially grade
separations where warranted.

Next steps

Proponent to identify initiatives and develop
options (Stage 2 of Infrastructure Australia's
Assessment Framework).

[ozbob]

^ finally the Qld Govt has done something ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/InQldMedia/status/1365120665766883330

[kram0]

Very lite on in Qld compared to NSW. Billions for rail.

[verbatim9]

The level crossings of concern West of Ipswich would be for fast rail.

Like the report states; some local roads could easily be closed and traffic diverted to arterials, or another major crossing which would be grade segregated.

Hopefully this budget we will see Coopers Plains finally acted upon as well as others.

When road closures are taken into account  they need to think about active transport and provide pedestrian overpasses or underpasses.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Cleveland line suspended after train and car collision leaves woman critical

A woman is in critical condition after a train and car crash at Wynnum West, in Brisbane's east on Friday afternoon.

Paramedics were on scene treating the woman after the train and car crashed about 1.40pm at the railway crossing where Lindum and North roads intersect.

QR says warning lights were operational when woman was struck by train.

Queensland Rail suspended services on the Cleveland line and was sourcing buses for commuters.

Police urged people to avoid the area, with road closures affecting Lindum and North roads. ...

[kram0]

Unfortunately this is now a fatal accident. 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1365180930021851136

[techblitz]

2 years to the day...

https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/bayside/2019/02/26/woman-struck-by-train-lindum/

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Lindum train station fatal: Woman dies in collision $

A woman has died in a horror crash at one of Brisbane's notoriously dangerous intersections.

Her car collided with a train at Lindum rail station on Brisbane's bayside about 1.45pm.

Paramedics attended the crash but she could not be saved.

The woman, aged 32, was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The train was a non passenger service and had no passengers on board when it collided with the vehicle at Lindum Station.

Cleveland line trains resumed at 9.25pm after being suspended in the aftermath of the incident. ...

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1365213272794820610

[ozbob]

Completed an interview with 7 News, re Lindum and level crossings generally.

[ozbob]

Completed an interview with 7 News, re Lindum and level crossings generally.

[ozbob]

^

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1365733129789476866

[verbatim9]

^^That would be a good outcome aiming for two level crossing removals per year.

[ozbob]

9 News --> Government under fire for deadly train crossing in Brisbane following crash

State and Federal governments are being questioned over a lack of action on one of Queensland's most notorious level crossings, after a woman became the second person to lose her life to an oncoming train.
The move comes after ten years of complaints and two deaths with criticism being levelled at the council, the state and the federal governments for not fixing the issue.
The death of a 32-year-old driver yesterday at Lindum Station is two years to the day an elderly pedestrian was also killed by an oncoming train. ...

[Gazza]

Great interview Bob.

A joke they have copped out with an "upgrade" instead of just removing the damn thing.

I just sent an email to the minister, basically saying that local councils dont have the financial resources to remove LXs in a reasonable time frame, it needs to be state and feds that have the billions.

Also made the point that the level crossing "upgrade" at Lindum is doing everything but actually remove it.

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/Lindum-Station-Precinct-Study

For example, why is Park n Ride expansion in the scope? How does that save lives?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Ironically bcc found millions to bring forward the Robinson and telegraph road overpasses when council was approved to rezone new apartment blocks on the land that was transferred to them after the projects completion.

[ozbob]

Great interview Bob.

A joke they have copped out with an "upgrade" instead of just removing the damn thing.

I just sent an email to the minister, basically saying that local councils dont have the financial resources to remove LXs in a reasonable time frame, it needs to be state and feds that have the billions.

Also made the point that the level crossing "upgrade" at Lindum is doing everything but actually remove it.

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/Lindum-Station-Precinct-Study

For example, why is Park n Ride expansion in the scope? How does that save lives?

Thanks Gazza, this was good job by the journo, camo and production team.  Main points got through, which is not always the case.

Well done on writing to the Minister.  We need plenty of that, thanks.

Victoria - Level Crossing Removals authority is probably the worlds best current experienced mob for doing grade separations ( all forms road under, rail under, rail over, road over, trench, elevation ) .  They need to emulate that to a degree, at least tap into the expertise they have now onboard.

[Gazza]

What I also find crazy is that

Feds: $85 million
Council $40 million

$125 million is already enough to do a no frills version.

If the state tipped in $40-$60m that's more than enough.
Media release time.....

[ozbob]

What I also find crazy is that

Feds: $85 million
Council $40 million

$120 million is already enough to do a no frills version.

If the state tipped in $40-$60m that's more than enough.
Media release time.....

I think the Fed and Council funding is contingent on level crossing removal, not the station and precinct upgrade that TMR thinks will suffice ..  https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/_/media/website/files/projects/l/lindum-station-precinct/lindum-study-brochure.pdf

[Gazza]

It's the same stalling tactics they used on the Dakabin station community.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Lindum Level Crossing Removal Delays just don't add up

2nd March 2021

RAIL Back on Track, a community organisation that supports better public transport renews calls for the full removal of the level crossing at Lindum with a road overpass or underpass, and nothing less.

These are the facts:

- The Lindum level crossing is dangerous, and has claimed 2 lives in 2 years, the most recent being on February 26th 2021.

- The suburban rail network south of Caboolture has around 52 level crossings. Of these about 25 are of a high priority for removal.

- It costs around $150m to $200m to grade separate a level crossing and replace it with the road going over or under the rail based on recent projects interstate.

- Currently, the Lindum crossing has $85m from the Federal Government and $40m from BCC committed to help fund the removal of the level crossing, not a station and precinct upgrade (1, 2, 3).

- Therefore, the state only needs to contribute an additional $25-75m to do the job right and deliver the grade separated solution the community wants.

- However, a full grade separation is not on the cards in the medium term, and it appears money will be squandered on bandaid solutions like traffic lights, and on unrelated projects such as expanding the station car park. The community cannot afford these stalling tactics.

- The level crossing removal at Landsborough was also deferred from the current Sunshine Coast line upgrade project.

- Victoria has demonstrated that it's possible to save lives and remove a large number of level crossings when the political will is there. Out of a programme to remove 75 level crossings, 45 are already removed since 2015. Similar fast track programmes are underway in WA and SA. NSW removed the majority of its level crossings years ago.

- The last level crossing removal in SEQ happened back in 2014. Progress has been embarrassingly slow.

RAIL Back On Track wants to see the Government fast track a full grade separated solution at Lindum, and furthermore commit to removing at least two level crossings per year. We suggest the Queensland Government set up an agency similar to the Level Crossing Removal Project in Victoria (4).  They should also liaise with Victoria on the lessons they have gained from their recent experiences with level crossing elimination.

Contact:
Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

References:

1. Lindum Station Precinct Study https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/Lindum-Station-Precinct-Study

2. Brisbane City Council takes aim at government over bayside rail crossing
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/brisbane-city-council-takes-aim-at-government-over-bayside-rail-crossing-20201201-p56joy.html?fbclid=IwAR2eyGpRePQ-6IAwCxDIK4DGyltYm93i4j5Ezekqudtk1z_LJ3Me7mzJcOs

3. Rail Back on Track calls for removal of level crossings from south-east Queensland railway lines
https://www.redlandcitybulletin.com.au/story/7046844/lobby-group-calls-for-removal-of-level-crossings-from-south-east-queensland-tracks/?cs=213

4. Level Crossing Removal Project https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1366405806019682305

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

Lindum Level Crossing Removal Delays just don't add up 2nd March 2021 RAIL Back on Track, a community organisation...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Monday, 1 March 2021

[ozbob]

Booked for an interview at 6.05pm this evening 2nd March 2021 with Steve Austin Drive ABC Radio Brisbane, topic level crossing removals,
or the lack thereof in SEQ.

[Gazza]

Playing now

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/live/

"Have you spoken with the transport minister about this?"
"Yes"
"Well what did he say"
"I basically looked at his Glazed eyes" 

Looking at Lindum...I think the solution should be rail over actually.

I think we should be pushing Qld on the cost estimates too.

https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media/news/designs-confirmed-for-werribee-street-and-old-geelong-road

Two in Weribee are being done for $355m as of 2020

So $177m, whys Beams rd so dear?

[ozbob]

 

Either way, lets hope it is done. 

[ozbob]

Beams Road --> https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beams-road-overpass

$248 million

Total investment $248 million

Australian Government $50 million
Queensland Government $128 million
BCC $70 million

Plans to remove level crossing in Carseldine, Brisbane fully funded > https://www.railexpress.com.au/plans-to-remove-level-crossing-in-carseldine-brisbane-fully-funded/


Victoria know what they are doing Gazza (wrt to LX removals),  Queensland needs to tap into their experience.
In fact I reckon they should take over from TMR and get the job done!   

[ozbob]

Booked for an interview at 6.05pm this evening 2nd March 2021 with Steve Austin Drive ABC Radio Brisbane, topic level crossing removals,
or the lack thereof in SEQ.

Interview 2nd March 2021 ABC Brisbane Drive Host Steve Austin, Robert Dow RBoT. 
Discussion re Level Crossing Removals SEQ and lack of progress thereof.

File --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abc_driveRD2mar21.mp3 MP3 15.2MB

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1366814634905202693

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1367133965782380545

[ozbob]

The State needs to get serious about LX removals.

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Calls for Governments to get rid of level crossings or risk serious problems
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/2585435414803963
26th April 2019

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Which level crossings would you like to see removed in SEQ?
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/2585140008166837
26th April 2019

... The last level crossings removed in SEQ were the crossings at Telegraph Road, Bald Hills  & Robinson Road Geebung in 2014.
The SEQ Council of Mayors has had these open level crossings as their top 5 elimination priorities since 2015:

Boundary Road, Coopers Plains
Cavendish Road, Coorparoo
Beams Road, Carseldine
South Pine Road, Alderley
Wacol Station Road, Wacol

RAIL Back On Track made a successful RTI application for a report titled ' Cost-Benefit Analysis of Open Level Crossing Elimination 11 July 2012 ' A copy of which may be accessed here > https://backontrack.org/docs/LX/LXreport.pdf  this report supports the SEQ Council of Mayors priorities.

The recent RACQ Red Spot Congestion Survey 2019 - (main report available at https://www.racq.com.au/redspot )
lists the top 5 most nominated railway (level) crossings for removal. There were four locations nominated to the south of Brisbane City, and one location nominated to the north of Brisbane.

1 Boundary Road, Coopers Plains
2 Cavendish Road, Coorparoo
3 Beams Road, Carseldine
4 Kianawah Rd / Lindum Rd, Hemmant
5 Warrigal Road, Runcorn ...

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Level crossing removals must be accelerated
30th December 2019
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/3100478073299692

... The four most dangerous level crossings were:

Warrigal Rd in Fruitgrove,
Old Beaudesert Rd in Salisbury,
Trinder Crossing at Trinder Park,
Stones Rd in Sunnybank.  ...

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Level crossing removals SEQ
22nd June 2020
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/3535219746492187

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Level crossing removal stagnates in Queensland
2nd December 2020
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/4033783619969128

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Lindum Level Crossing Removal Delays just don't add up
2nd March 2021
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/4288516091162545

[#Metro]

Level crossing removals are expensive, it makes sense for govt and BCC to work together to rezone around stations. State gets land tax and stamp duties, BCC gets rates revenue and the crossing is paid for.