London city council is being asked to put a price tag on public safety.
In light of local rail tragedies – there have been eight since 2008 – council is considering whether to spend about $500,000 to make rail crossings safer for pedestrians.
But not all agree that spending the money will save the lives of some pedestrians.
“They are in a rush to get where they're going and don't want to be disturbed by a train every half hour,” says Crew Sisley.
A city hall report identifies 46 crossings in the city where safety improvements could be made at a total cost of $470,000.
The improvements range from adding signs and painting sidewalks, to installing a $250,000 pedestrian gate on Egerton Street.
Civic Works Committee member Harold Usher hopes some costs could be shared.
“We might be able to talk to CN or CP, whoever's crossing it is and whether they would be prepared to come in and share with us the cost.”
While some are unconvinced the enhancements are worth it, others say it would be money well spent.
“I think it’s a great idea, honestly. There's so many, so many dangers crossing,” one person says.
“I guess you have to balance the cost with safety, right? If they think it’s worth it, then go ahead,” another says.
The London Railway Safety Report also says it is often "non-compliance” with the warnings that is the root cause of the problem.
The report recommending the enhancements will be considered by the Civic Works Committee on Monday.
“If there is anything that would save a life, you can be sure that we will look into that, but I don't see anything on the list that would prevent the type of accidents that we've had,” Usher says.
