By Mario Xuereb
ST ALBANS has missed out on funding for its two deadly level crossings under a Liberal Party policy released last week.
The Liberals pledged $200 million to remove level crossings in five eastern suburbs locations – but not Furlong or Main roads.
In 2004, three Cairnlea residents died when a high-speed train smashed into their car while travelling past the Furlong Rd level crossing.
But Liberal Leader Ted Baillieu said his first priority was a level crossing in Nunawading, with plans to remove other crossings in Blackburn, Ormond, Frankston and Bayswater.
“Here we are seven years later and Labor has not abolished any of the 177 metropolitan level crossings that put Victorian families at risk,” Mr Baillieu said.
“A Liberal government will get rid of level crossings and introduce underpass or overpass options on advice from engineers and the communities forced to endure these traffic disasters,” he said.
Star contacted the Liberals asking why St Albans was left off the list but received no response.
St Albans businessman and level crossing campaigner Asip Demiri said he was unhappy local crossings were left off the list but also blamed the State Government.
“Of course the Liberals are going to look after their seats in the eastern suburbs, so why aren’t our local MPs (in the State Government) looking after us in the western suburbs,” Mr Demiri said.
Mr Demiri also questioned why the Taylors Rd level crossing near Keilor Plains station had received funding for removal before those in St Albans.
The State Government last week labelled the Liberals’ plan “haphazard, ill-conceived and under-funded”.
Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said more money was needed to remove level crossings than the $200 million allocated.
Mr Batchelor said it would cost about $60 billion to grade separately all crossings across Victoria.
