There are grave fears a series of glaring design flaws on Sydney’s new light rail network could result in serious injury or death, a union has claimed.
The New South Wales government has been slammed by the NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union over a lack of safety measures on the CBD and South East Light Rail, which will finally open to the public next month, a year behind schedule.
Union divisional secretary David Babineau claims the ‘botched’ network is riddled with at least 11 design flaws and safety issues.
The biggest safety concerns are along Anzac Parade and around Moore Park.
Sydney’s along awaited CBD and South East Light Rail network (pictured during CBD testing in August) is on track to finally open next month
There have already been a series of near misses involving cyclists, motorists and pedestrians during testing on the network, including a teenage boy who suffered minor head injuries after being hit by a tram at Moore Park.
Tram drivers rejected an enterprise agreement last week over concerns about the conditions they will operating in and may take industrial action next month.
‘Being unresponsive to proposed safety changes is going to look pretty p**s poor when someone gets injured,’ Mr Babineau told The Sunday Telegraph.
‘These things are 67m long carrying more people than an aircraft and you are sharing space with everyone under the sun.
‘You can’t contain the amount of people using their phones, delivery drivers, cyclists and others.’
The NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union fears someone may be injured or killed on the network. The biggest safety concerns are along Anzac Parade (pictured) and around Moore Park
The biggest safety concern is the 12km route along the redesigned Anzac Parade, where there are minimal safety measures for cyclists coming from Centennial Park.
Mr Babineau also expressed concerns about a lack of chicanes to slow pedestrians and give drivers more control over safety issues.
He also believed the Anzac Parade junction is too narrow for prams and wheelchairs to alight safely.
There are fencing problems at Moore Park bus station, where only one of two bus doors can be used at a time.
The glitch resulted in major delays for cricket fans after a recent T20 international at the SCG.
Transport minister Andrew Constance admitted on Friday night its new controversy-marred light rail project has been a ‘difficult build’
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia safety is the number one priority.
‘Pedestrian safety has been a key focus of tram safety campaigns reminding pedestrians to look left and right before crossing, to pedestrian crossings and signalised crossings, and to look up from their phones and be aware around trams,’ the spokeswoman said.
‘Together, TfNSW and STA, with representatives from the Centre for Road Safety, have worked together to identify concerns and mitigate issues raised as far as reasonably possible.
‘STA with support from TfNSW carried out a comprehensive driver training program to ensure safe bus operations around light rail.’
There have already been a series of near misses involving cyclists, motorists and pedestrians during testing on the new network, which is over-budget and a year behind schedule
She said the Moore Park bus interchange was built as part of the stadium redevelopment in consultation with STA, which has been running successfully since June.
‘Safety measures implemented to address STA concerns include temporary chicanes to slow traffic, introduction of a lower speed limit, installation of extra safety signage for pedestrians and cyclists, and a review of signal phasing,’she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Police are regularly on site to educate riders while a permanent chicane can be installed, and adjustments to fencing can be completed.’
The claims come after the NSW government confirmed on Friday that the cost of the project had blown out to $2.9 billion.
Transport minister Andrew Constance admitted the project has been a ‘difficult build’.
‘We took the busiest street in the nation and ripped (it) up to transform it into the open, inviting boulevard it is today,’ he said in a statement.