The Illawarra Bicycle Users Group's Werner Steyer is concerned the crossing at Dunmore Station, which is used to access a cycle path, will be closed. Picture: PAUL JONES
CONCERNS have been raised over the future of a pedestrian crossing at Dunmore Station used to access the stretch of the Coastal Cycleway that runs from Dunmore to Minnamurra.
Currently, the inter-platform pedestrian crossing at Dunmore Station is used by a number of cyclists and walkers to access the pathway, but with the station set to close once work on the new Shell Cove Station is completed, it is feared safe access to the pathway will be reduced.
In its document, Shell Cove Station and Interchange - Review of Environmental Factors, Transport for NSW stated that once closed, Dunmore Station would be "made safe by closing the station and fencing off access to the rail corridor" - a statement that concerns Illawarra Bicycle Users Group (IBUG) chairman Werner Steyer.
"Through Member for Keira Ryan Park, we [IBUG] made inquiries to the transport department and the minister about the future of the crossing.
The minister sent back a letter, which stated there were no plans to remove the shared cycle and pedestrian crossing at Dunmore Station.
"But if access to the rail corridor is to be fenced off, then that would indicate that the crossing won't be accessible," Mr Steyer said.
If the crossing is made inaccessible, Mr Steyer fears for the safety of anybody trying to access the pathway.
"If the crossing is unusable, then anybody wanting to use the pathway will have to cross the train line at the overpass and then come down the highway," he said.
"There is a marked bicycle path there but all that separates you from b-doubles doing over 100km/h is a white line.
"Experienced cyclists could handle that but there's no way it's safe for the people who walk the path with prams and young children."
But despite the wording in the document, a spokesperson from the transport department said the crossing would remain accessible for cyclists and walkers.