By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
A CONCERNED Pakenham resident says it is only a matter of time before delays at the McGregor Road level crossing lead to a fatality.
Lynne Brady witnessed two cars dangerously swerve through closed boom gates while she was stopped at the crossing for several minutes, about 2.40pm on Friday 10 July.
She was prompted to write to Metro about the issue for the second time this year, after three trains passed through the crossing with no break to allow traffic through.
“There was a period of several minutes while the gates remained down and lights continued to flash,” Lynne said.
“After a while, I saw a car on the opposite side weave through the gates and drive off.
“A moment later I saw a second car do the same.”
Lynne said that by the time the gates eventually opened, traffic was banked up to the Princes Highway.
She encountered an almost-identical situation on 4 February this year, leading her to complain to Metro.
In a response from a customer relations co-ordinator dated 16 February, Metro said that there was no solution to long delays at level crossings.
“Boom gates can stay down if trains have been delayed and are banked up,” the letter reads.
“As soon as one train clears the crossing another one comes close enough to activate the boom gates and they stay down.
“The McGregor Road level crossing activation is also affected by train movements at the Pakenham stabling yards, as these operational movements trigger the level crossing despite trains not passing through the crossings.”
Lynne says she believes lives are at risk if nothing is done to fix the issue.
“Locals have become so frustrated with this unnecessary delay that they have begun to risk their lives by crossing while the gates are down and lights are flashing.”
“This needs to be rectified before someone is killed at the crossing.”
Though clearly ineffective in deterring motorists from sneaking through boom gates, the beginning of July saw fines double for motorists and pedestrians caught illegally crossing train tracks.
The maximum court penalty for unauthorised crossing of tracks by either drivers or cyclists has risen from $1467 to $3033. The infringement for the offence has seen a similar increase, jumping from $148 to $379.
Pedestrians caught crossing illegally will also receive significantly higher fines, with the court penalty rising from $738 to $1517 and the infringement penalty from $148 to $379.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan backed the new penalties, saying she hoped it would discourage people from dangerous activity.
“People just need to stop taking chances so they don’t hurt or kill themselves and potentially traumatise train drivers, just to save a few extra minutes,” she said.
However, Lynne Brady said major changes needed to be made before the crossing could be considered safe.
“This has been a major issue since the freeway went in, and congestion and delays are getting worse all the time.
“It really needs to be a priority.”
