Simplify the following text for a Grade 17 native English-speaking person.
Original: The authorities initially rejected the proposal by casting doubts over functionality and concerns about the high installation costs , but made an about-turn when the government announced plans to install half-height automatic platform gates in a speech on 25 January 2008 , citing lower costs due to it becoming a more common feature worldwide .
Simplified: The authorities initially rejected the proposal by casting doubts over functionality and concerns about the high installation costs , but made an about-turn when the government announced plans to install half-height platform screen doors in a speech on 25 January 2008 , citing lower costs due to it becoming a more common feature worldwide .