It’s time to shut the gate

WHY won’t Queensland Rail install boomgates at the Collins Avenue level crossing?

It has been nearly a month since a vehicle collided with the Kuranda Scenic Railway train at the Edge Hill junction.

And that itself, was the second time in a month a car has collided with a train at the same intersection.

Those who saw the wreckage of the Honda Accord at the most recent crash, however, are shaking their heads that anyone survived.

A 50-year-old Yorkeys Knob man, who appeared to have ignored the flashing lights over the crossing, escaped with only minor injuries.

Police are still investigating the exact cause of the incident, but it is clear that more needs to be done to upgrade safety at the rail junction.

In the 24 hours following the crash, Queensland Rail installed a temporary security camera at the crossing to capture incriminating footage of drivers who ignored the flashing lights, warning signs, and sound of the train’s horn blaring as it approached. The speed limit was lowered for trains traversing the crossing, and there is also talk of even more signs being added.

But when you discuss the most logical upgrade — boomgates, bizarrely QR doesn’t want a bar of it.

It’s weird that on a busy urban road, there is no physical barrier preventing cars from entering the path of a train. There is boomgates at other level crossings for the Kuranda train, why not here?

QR was sent a list of questions last week asking about boomgates, to which they dutifully ignored. Maybe we need another accident before they decide to take stronger action.