By Esther Lauaki
The state government’s design solutions for the removal of Wyndham’s three level crossings have been labelled a “disaster” by residents who are campaigning to have the project halted.
The small group of residents, led by the Wyndham Infrastructure Network, describe the options offered for the removal of the two railway crossings at Werribee and Cherry streets and the third at Old Geelong Road as a “quick-fix”.
Those against plans to construct road and rail bridges, eliminating the railway crossings, are calling for the the Level Crossing Removal Project to head back to the drawing board.
Werribee’s Duncan McDougall said community consultation sessions, which wound up in July, were poorly attended and did not give residents adequate time to give feedback.
“It has come as a shock to the community that the consultation phase has come to a close without any real consultation having occurred,” Mr McDougall told Star Weekly.
“I acknowledge that this vital work needs to be completed across the Metropolitan network to increase the volume of train services, improve traffic flow and reduce avoidable accidents and fatalities at these crossings…we do not want a plan for 10 years as proposed we require forward thinking to cope with the projected growth of our community.”
Mr McDougall also criticised the government’s recent adoption of a revised design for a new road bridge, getting rid of the Cherry Street level crossing, which will be built east of the existing crossing to connect Tarneit Road and the Princes Highway.
Plans will also include a well-lit, accessible pedestrian underpass will also be built to maintain pedestrian and cyclist access to homes and local shops.
Cherry Street will then be closed permanently.
“The proposed pedestrian underpass at Cherry Street represents an appalling waste of taxpayer funds as the existing underpass under the station renders the new one superfluous.
“It will be far too dangerous for residents to use as the government has clearly not looked at crime statistics for the area.”
LXRP project director Tony Hedley told Star Weekly that following “detailed engineering assessments and community consultation” the designs for each of the level crossing removal sites would provide the best outcome.
Major work on the Cherry Street project is expected to start next year.
