Almost eight months on from the railway crash that closed Lydiard Street North, Ballarat is still waiting to have one of its most important north-south arterials opened. The preliminary report established the gates were not at fault, but - even though workers are returning to the CBD, trains will run again and school traffic will soon return - there is no sign of action on the historic street.
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Here is what residents had to say:
What an embarrassment for all of those organisations who have a legitimate say in how the Lydiard St rail-road crossing will be reopened?! (Whoever they are and however much they might like to hide behind 'due process').
If the gates played no part in the incident, then even more reason to be ashamed of the ridiculous delay in a reopening.
And, as part of the fix, perhaps we can have resolved the inordinately long road closures that previously occurred at certain times, when no trains passed, eg around 6pm, for up to 15 minutes for road traffic.
Please set a program for imminent resolution - not indefinitely later in 2021 after a final report - and fix this inefficient, disrespectful mess very soon.
Doug Lloyd, Soldiers Hill
If this damage was caused in a Melbourne Level crossing the gates would have been fixed in a week, without causing any traffic concerns. Not good enough Vic Rail or the City of Ballarat.
William Bahr, Sebastopol
I moved to Ballarat from Melbourne in the same month the station gates were damaged and closed.
I believe if the incident occurred in Melbourne the gates would have been open again within a few days. The investigation length and associated gate closure gives a perception that regional cities are slow to act/not progressive/bicker. It's just a perception, but an important one if Ballarat wants to position itself as an modern, attractive and vibrant city for tourism and population growth.
Pleased to see your article. Would love a spotlight to stay on this issue.
Laura Nolan, Soldiers Hill
The gates were to be retained as an important part of the heritage precinct and V/Line were responsible for the demolition and should replace them. As a Ballarat resident my whole life I always enjoyed driving on Lydiard Street and walking past them as I caught a train. They should be reinstated.
Bruce Kerr, Wendouree
