SOUTH-eastern Metro MP Rachel Payne has joined residents in calling for the new metal barrier at Chelsea Station to be dismantled because of its potential danger to pedestrians. Ms Payne said the 350-plus-metre metal barrier effectively caged walkers on a narrow path. “Locals have told me that it’s an accident waiting to happen because all foot traffic is funnelled down this long narrow path,” she said. “The barrier was erected when the level crossing was moved, but I’ve seen scooters and skateboarders flying down that path – the barrier makes it difficult for pedestrians to get out of their way.” Ms Payne said the barrier also blocked the most direct path to Chelsea station from the shops, meaning elderly people and those with disability had to walk more than 350m to the train station.
“Nearly a third of Chelsea’s residents are aged over 55 years, direct access to the station is essential,” she said. “As well as the older population, about a third of Chelsea’s residents also have one or more chronic health conditions. Such a large group in the community shouldn’t be an afterthought when it comes to designing a station entrance. “A 350m walk can cause pain and deter travelling and limit social interaction. In short, it’s not fair. “I’m also worried about the impact this poor piece of planning is having on the traders. I’m in Chelsea all the time and I don’t think there are as many customers around.”
Ms Payne has raised a question on Chelsea Station’s inaccessibility in the Victorian Parliament and called on Roads Minister Melissa Horne to deliver a new pedestrian crossing near the Chelsea Station entrance. Chelsea resident Kerry Lee said she was also worried that the metal barrier corralled pedestrians onto the path, and if a predator attacked a walker late at night there would be no escape. “I was coming home one evening, and a couple were having a loud argument. The man seemed to be inebriated, and it occurred to me that if the fight escalated there would be no escape for me or his partner, we were both trapped by that awful metal barrier,” Ms Lee said.
“What if there is an incident at the station, and the ambulance and fire brigade are needed? There is limited parking and access. I once saw an ambulance parked one end of the station and the fire brigade parked the other – they were clearly attending to a callout, but there was no designated emergency parking or obvious entry to the station.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 18 December 2024