By Danielle Kutchel
Gembrook MP Brad Battin has welcomed the State Government’s announcement that two level crossings in Beaconsfield will be removed.
On Thursday 29 July, the Government announced the crossings on Station Street and Brunt Road would be removed by 2025.
Mr Battin said the removals were the culmination of “years of campaigning from the community“.
“Residents have frustratingly been crying out for Beaconsfield’s level crossings to be upgraded for several years to keep up with the area’s development – until now Labor has ignored them,” he said.
Mr Battin said he had continued raising the issue in Parliament, citing safety concerns for drivers and pedestrians at the crossings, especially at Brunt Road.
He accused the State Government of playing politics, “forcing Beaconsfield residents to wait until another state election before works would be completed, with Beaconsfield being left last for the project on the Pakenham line.“
Seventeen level crossings on the Pakenham Line have either already been removed, are under construction, or are in early works for removal.
As well as the removals of Station Street and Brunt Road Beaconsfield, the State Government said it would get rid of the level crossing at Webb Street, Narre Warren while the crossings at Station Street, Officer and Progress Street, Dandenong South will be closed.
This will bring the total number of level crossings removed on the Pakenham line to 22, making it level crossing free.
Initial assessments suggest the most likely design to remove the Brunt Road and Station Street level crossings will be a road bridge over the rail line.
Webb Street, Narre Warren will most likely be a hybrid solution, which will lower Webb Street and raise the rail line.
But while Mr Battin welcomed the level crossing removals, he said he was outraged an upgrade for Beaconsfield Railway Station has been left off the cards.
The Liberal Party committed to the project at the 2018 election.
“I’ve had so many from the community calling for the urgent need of an upgrade for Beaconsfield Station, not only for toilet facilities but a number of people living with a disability needing shelter on the platform where they wait to board the train,” he said.
“Labor is again ignoring the needs of the Beaconsfield community, making them wait till last for the upgrades of their crossings and leaving them without a new station.”
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan hit back at the Liberal Party’s track record on public transport.
“The Victorian Liberals have committed to slashing infrastructure spending and didn’t remove a single level crossing on the Pakenham line – we are getting rid of all 22 of them,” she said.
“We’re reducing congestion, improving safety and importantly – creating a level crossing-free Pakenham line for faster, more reliable services.”
According to the State Government, the level crossing removals in Beaconsfield do not preclude a future upgrade to Beaconsfield station.
