ALMOST three months on from the train crash which destroyed the southern Lydiard Street crossing gate, and we are still no closer to finding a cause or seeing the reopening of part of Lydiard Street North to traffic.
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The incident late on May 30 remains under investigation by three separate agencies - The National Rail Safety Regulator, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and V/Line - with the ATSB expected to release its findings soon.
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It was reported in June that the suspected cause of the crash could have been due to transmission failure that would have impeded the train's braking system, coupled with oil on the tracks as the train travelled down a steep slope.
A V/Line spokesperson said traffic blocks would remain in place until assessments were completed on whether gates could be rebuilt or it was decided the crossing needed to be modified.
"We won't compromise on safety for our passengers or staff - and we're undertaking thorough and extensive investigations into this incident - and thank the Ballarat community for their patience and understanding," V/Line said.
"Our investigations cover train, signalling and infrastructure systems and we'll work with the City of Ballarat and Heritage Victoria to keep the community informed as we identify the safest option for this crossing to ensure we avoid further incidents and tragedy."
Cr Daniel Moloney, who was among those to call for the gates' removal at the time of the crash, said it was imperative authorities got to the bottom of the cause.
"I can understand the V/Line dilemma, if this was a boom gate, the crossing would be fixed, it happens all the time, and would have probably been a same day repair job," Cr Moloney said.
"But obviously, this is a unique situation, and I'd expect that it would be highly unlikely that we would see the road open this year.
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"At the moment, it's causing minor inconvenience as big parts of the CBD aren't operational but once the city is back up and running again, there is going to be a point where we will want to see reopened.
"I don't want us to rush V/Line as I get these things take time. But what I do love about V/Line is their obsession with safety. I'd rather them take the time, get it right."
Save Our Station spokesman Gerald Jenzen said council had a responsibility to continue to lobby for the return of traffic along Lydiard Street North with Armstrong Street North also out of action due to the construction of GovHub.
"We've only got three north-south arterials in the city and the fact there's little traffic due to the virus doesn't mean things should be kept closed," he said. "It's now 10 weeks on and council said they would continue to lobby, yet I see nothing in the agendas.
"Regardless of what caused the accident, it's not fixing the gates. The more no-one complains about it, we'll continue to have to wait and then it would not be surprising if it was put in the 'too hard basket' and they just put booms in."
In a letter sent to Mr Jenzen, Heritage Victoria's executive director Steven Avery said any proposal to remove the gates would require a permit application to be lodged.
"As such a proposal would be likely to cause harm to the significance of the Ballarat Railway Station complex, it would require public notice," Mr Avery said.
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