CALE Street residents are still pursuing noise mitigation outcomes from PTA engagement and say legal action may be the next step if talks yield no results.

Cale Street crossing uproar reported the level crossing was opened on July 12, and residents said the noise and light generated by the crossing was disrupting their sleep.

Cale Street resident Aaron Cooper said the PTA hasn’t given affirmation residents will receive noise mitigation installations on their properties to date.

“The latest is a comment in an email of a meeting after the results are known from the noise assessment that was completed last week,” he said.

“There is still no movement regarding light pollution as they are stating this is compliant to the standard.”

Mr Cooper hopes to source the results from the completed noise assessments and meet with the PTA or Metronet to discuss remediation for the complex’s light and noise issues.

“If there is still no amicable agreement then the next steps will most likely be legal action,” he said.

Residents living in the complex directly across from Cale Street’s new level crossing have asked the Public Transport Authority (PTA) for noise mitigation measures since March, as reported in Residents feel overlooked over Cale Street crossing.

A PTA spokesperson confirmed noise monitoring had been completed at the Cale Street level crossing and nearby residential properties.

“The results of this monitoring will help to inform next steps, including potential noise mitigation measures,” they said.

“Lighting and warning bells are a safety requirement that are required at every level crossing within the metropolitan rail network and are required by the law.

“A well-lit level crossing ensures the safety of rail, vehicle and pedestrian traffic at night.

“Flashing lights are set by a national standard and are consistent at all active level crossings.

“The operating times of the new Cale Street level crossing are similar to the previous Helena Street crossing.”

The PTA had previously responded to calls for noise mitigation by suggesting measures such as strategic landscaping and rail treatments, as reported in PTA comments on Cale Street.

The PTA however gave no indication at the time that the PTA had been looking to implement double-glazing or blinds as suggested by nearby residents.

Mr Cooper said many questions also remained regarding reductions in parking, increased rail traffic, and how the PTA assessed the environment to conclude a level crossing was the best choice for the area.

“There are plenty of questions that still are unanswered, or answers are not clear,” he said.

“How are the PTA and Metronet going to manage the increase in rail traffic with the introduction of the Bellevue Maintenance Facility?

“What is the anticipated impact on local residents and traffic with this increase?

“What standard has the intersection been built to?

“All mention is Main Roads, but this is a residential area.

“How were the initial environmental assessments conducted and what were the results?

“This is in relation to the installation of the level crossing to the residential buildings.”

The PTA had previously released material explaining that grade separations were considered but were challenging due to the area’s built-up nature, land constraints and the need to cross both the passenger and freight rail.

The same document explains that Cale Street was chosen as it was identified as a connector road for the area.

“The other roads east of Midland Station were not planned or designed to cater for this type of movement,” it read.

In a July response, PTA responds to Cale St noise and traffic worries, the PTA said the new level crossing would maintain connectivity into the town centre and ensure traffic and pedestrians could cross the rail corridor safely.

The safety messaging ran counter to the material published by Metronet during the removal of level crossings on the Armadale line.

“Removing all 31 level crossings from the Transperth network is a priority for government to increase the safety of people walking, cycling and driving in the area, as well as to reduce road congestion and revitalise local communities with improved land use planning,” the Metronet publication said.