A PLAN to install pedestrian barriers on the eastern concourse of the City Railway Station has been slammed by council.
At its March 14 meeting councillors poured scorn on Westrail’s plan to put up barriers between 6.30pm and 6.30am to restrict access to and from the concourse.
Westrail’s argues the barriers will help improve security and allow it to conduct selective ticket checking.
Councillor Jennifer MacGill said Westrail would be better off changing its ticket checking policy.
“They should be making sure people have tickets before they get on the train rather than checking to see if they have them after they get off,” Mrs MacGill said.
Councillor Laurance Goodman said Westrail was threatening some lucrative businesses on the concourse.
The Trackside Bakery has just had its rent reviewed and is now paying $92,980 per year.
Mr Goodman said Westrail was tampering with the traffic flows which were crucial to the business potential of the area.
“This could endanger our ability to raise market rents for the area,” he said.
“Westrail shouldn’t jump on the bandwagon and do our own job for us.
“I think they’ve lost the plot.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Michael Sutherland said putting up the barricades would make anti-social problems worse.
“This is a security issue. It should be considered by the proper authorities,” Mr Sutherland said.
