Level Crossing Pedestrian Safety
14/02/2012
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (17:32): I seek leave to provide a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Transport Services questions regarding pedestrian safety at level crossings.
Leave granted.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: A recent accident at the Lonsdale level crossing resulted in the death of a man with an intellectual disability, as I have already discussed in this parliament. It has since been brought to my attention that—
The Hon. S.G. Wade: The minister is not listening; he’s on the phone.
The PRESIDENT: Order!
Members interjecting:
The PRESIDENT: Order!
An honourable member: He’s arrogant; he’s on the phone.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I am not sure who is more arrogant in this instance. In any event, it has since been brought to my attention that pedestrian safety at many suburban rail crossings may be at risk due to a lack of clear line marking.
In particular, a recent survey of the Belair line indicates that as few as four out of 24 pedestrian crossings have a white safety line painted on their western side. A few crossings have been fitted with tactile ground surface indicators, but signage still indicates a white line that simply does not exist.
On 25 November 2011, it was observed that, from Lynton Station to Adelaide, on the western side of the railway, Barretts Road in Clapham had two crossings with no lines; between Clapham and Torrens Park (Price Avenue), no lines; Wattlebury Road, Lower Mitcham, two crossings with no lines; Mitcham Station, south-west, no lines, including between the tracks; Mitcham Station, no lines; north of Mitcham Station, no lines; Grange Road, Lower Mitcham, no lines; Angas Road, Hawthorn, no lines; Egmont Terrace, Hawthorn, two crossings with no lines; Sussex Terrace, Hawthorn, two crossings with no lines; Unley Park Station, no lines; Llanfair Terrace, no lines; Cross Road, no lines; Jellicoe Avenue, two crossings with no lines; Ningana Avenue, two crossings, no lines; Goodwood overpass, no lines; and Goodwood Bowling Club Station, no lines. My questions are:
1. Who is responsible for line marking on rail pedestrian crossings?
2. Why are crossings on the eastern side of the Belair line marked when the western side is not?
3. In light of this incident I mentioned in my explanation, will an urgent audit of rail pedestrian crossings be undertaken?
4. Will additional appropriate signage be posted at locations known to be frequented by large numbers of people with intellectual disability in particular?
5. How much was spent on the recent railway safety campaign entitled Horsepower?
The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (17:35): Setting aside the very rude interjection by the Hon. Mr Wade, I thank the honourable member for quite an in-depth question and I will refer it to the honourable Minister for Transport Services and get an answer back as soon as we can.
