"The Bayside City Council and local residents have rejected Connex's bid to consign our historic gates to an on-site museum display and install boom gates in their place", said Ms Pennicuik.

Sue went on to say "This whole process has been mismanaged from the very start. Connex closed New St last year after one of their trains collided with the gates which they also operate, then took more than six months to ask Bayside Council for permission to close the road – that should have happened straight away", she said.

"Local residents and others are now left without access to Beach Road. This is causing unnecessary traffic hazards and congestion on surrounding streets", she said.

"The safety of railway crossings is vitally important and has been brought to the fore with a number of tragic deaths at crossings over the last twelve months. New Street gates have operated safely, without a death or serious injury for many years. I believe the State government should instruct Connex to install the safety interlocking system to make the
crossing even safer and re-open it without further delay. It should then concentrate its efforts on the hundreds of other railway crossings in Victoria that don't have lights, bells, booms or gates", Ms Pennicuik said.