Rail Back on Track calls for removal of level crossings from south-east Queensland railway lines

There are eight crossings and a set of pedestrian gates on the line between Coorparoo and Wynnum Central.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said removing level crossings would slash commuter times and improve safety for Cleveland travelers, although exact time savings were unclear.

"We have about 52 level crossings south of Caboolture on our network," Mr Dow said. "Of those, there are probably 20 to 25 that you could consider high priority to remove.

"All level crossings present a safety risk of course, that is one of the main reasons to remove them.

"But there is also other consequences such as disruptions to traffic, congestion that causes busses to run late and pedestrians getting trapped so they can't get to the other side to catch their train."

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said $73 million would be spent on removing a level crossing at Coopers Plains and $128 million on fixing a crossing and building a park and ride facility at Carseldine.

A further $40 million would be spent on upgrading lifts and a footbridge to help fix the level crossing at Lindum on the Cleveland line.

"We're targeting key traffic pinch points with a $241 million investment to fix notorious level crossings and improve commute times," Mr Bailey said.

Mr Dow said Queensland should follow the Victorian government, who had removed 43 level crossings in the last five years and plan to remove 73 more by 2025.

He said the state government needed to move now on removals or would face problems when the Cross River Rail project was completed and trains began running more frequently.

"What it means is the boom gates are going to be down for long periods," Mr Dow said.

"That becomes very disruptive to the traffic, bus flow and also introduces a safety risk because people become impatient and try to rush boom gates.

"The Cleveland line has trouble with level crossing incidents from time to time.

"If you could get rid of them, it is better for everyone. It is better for the road network, the rail network, the pedestrians, cyclists, everyone wins."

Mr Bailey said the government was working to identify other level crossings that may need to be removed across the south-east.

"Removing level crossings while keeping local traffic moving is challenging but a worthwhile investment," he said.

"It means cars don't have to wait for trains to cross the road, and importantly improves safety by removing any risk at the intersection of crashes between cars and trains."

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