So I'm pretty sure this was always the plan. There were always going to be 3 stations on the line - Mitchell Park, Clovelly Park and the new station at Flinders. And I think it was always the plan to rename 'Clovelly Park' to 'Tonsley'. The rebuild of Clovelly Park has been in the plans before too, in fact it was originally included in the Tonsley Electrification project, but that project was restricted by funding.A NEW Tonsley station will be built regardless of the election outcome,
but campaigners say it’s vital the new stop is accessible to all
commuters.
The Labor Party has announced that if re-elected, it would spend $11 million
rebuilding the Tonsley station just south of Alawoona Ave, as part of a wider plan to
extend the line to Flinders University.
Meantime, the Liberals have also announced they would rebuild the station, but say
they will consult with experts and residents on its best location.
Under the Labor plan, the new Tonsley stop would be about 500m north of the
existing one, featuring security cameras, improved lighting and disability access.
A shared path would connect residents from Mitchell Park and Clovelly Park to the
new station.
More than 1600 people had signed a petition protesting against the State
Government’s plan to close the current station as part of the Flinders Link project.
Under those plans, the rail line would extend over Sturt Rd, with its elevated section
beginning north of the current Tonsley stop.
How the Tonsley line extension to Flinders will look
Mitchell Park resident Jodie Pearce, who started the petition and uses a wheelchair,
was pleased “both sides of government are finally recognising the importance of rail
access”.
However, she said the new station must not be out of reach for residents in the
southern parts of Mitchell Park and Tonsley.
“I’d really like to see the station closer to Ash Avenue and Timothy Court,” Ms
Pearce said.
Elder’s sitting Labor MP, Annabel Digance, said a “new and accessible station”
between the existing Tonsley and Clovelly Park stations “with improved
connectivity for all residents is a win”.
Liberal candidate Carolyn Habib said it was important locals had easy access to the
train.
“That’s why we’ll be investigating the best location for the Tonsley train station,” she
said.
SA Best candidate Michael Slattery said: “I agree that there needs to be a train
station for the Tonsley people but how that works in to the infrastructure model
that’s there, I’m not sure.”
Really this is just clever marketing spin by Labor, and somehow they've got some quotes supporting the plans from the people that complained in the first place. Even though nothing has changed.
Mind you - I'm a local resident who uses these stations and I would say that:
- 3 stations is plenty for the line, people can't expect stations every 300m so they don't have to walk.
- The rebuild looks great and is sorely needed as the station will get a lot more use with the Tonsley redevelopment.
- The pictures include track duplicaition, which is definitely needed to get the 15m frequence of service.
- The location is perfect. Just south of Alawoona is where it should be. Good accessibility for the Tonsely Redevelopment, roughly in the middle between Mitchell Park Station and Flinders Station to service as many people as possible. Some people who live close to Sturt Road will still have to walk across the bridge and catch the train from Flinders Station, but like I said we can't have stations every 300m. Ash Avenue (which is proposed by the resident in the article) would be a terrible choice. Much closer to Flinders station than to Mitchell Park, rather than having stations evenly distributed. It would also mean no station close to the residential area of the Tonsely redevelopment. It's clear that the location Labor have chosen is the right one. Liberal haven't nailed their colours to the mast, but I'm sure they would go with the same spot.
- Shared path is really important too. Current pedestrian access to the stations around this area is not great. I'm not sure if the shared path will continue North of the new station, but there have been plans in place for a while for a 'Tonsley Greenway' which will go right through to Daws Road. This is what is needed, pedestrian access North of Celtic Avenue is particularly bad.
