By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
WILLIAMSTOWN MP Wade Noonan has slammed the State Government after it closed the underpass at North Williamstown station last week.
Mr Noonan said the decision by VicTrack to begin work to remove the underpass came “in the dead of night” and “smacked of stupidity”.
Speaking to the Star last week, Mr Noonan said while he had long been complaining about the dangers at the railway crossing, closing the underpass would only result in making it less safe for pedestrians.
“This crossing is used by hundreds of school children every day who will now be placed in even greater danger without an underpass,” he said.
“I am completely gob-smacked by this decision and can’t believe the incompetence of the transport minister Terry Mulder on this issue. Has he even been to the crossing?”
A spokesperson from Mr Mulder’s office said closing the underpass was necessary to begin vital work at the station.
“This work will provide an at-grade level crossing suitable for all Victorians, including those with a disability, to allow them to safely and easily access North Williamstown railway station,” the spokesperson said.
“There was no way to do this without removing the old underpass. The old underpass included steps and forced pedestrians who are unable to use stairs, such as the aged; people in wheelchairs; and families with prams to cross a busy road in Ferguson Street to get to the at grade pedestrian crossing on the other side of the road.”
The spokesperson said there would be a few weeks of inconvenience for station users, who would need to cross the road to access the existing at-grade crossing, but the long-term benefits would be a safer and more convenient crossing.
“The work is being partially completed during school holidays and the Easter break when fewer people will be using the crossing.”
VicTrack spokeswoman Nicola Holland said the crossing was ranked as high-risk under the Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model and work has been brought forward by six months in order to achieve the best outcome for pedestrians.
