The Premier today announced that four level crossings on the Upfield line will be removed and replaced with elevated rail (Skyrail) with work starting later in 2019 and the boom gates due to be removed in 2020. The level crossings of Bell Street, Munro Street, Reynard Street, and Moreland Road will all be removed as part of one project. Both Moreland and Coburg will get new elevated stations, with the old station buildings preserved.
This work will entail closure of the Upfield line, probably for a few periods of time during construction. This would be an ideal time to also duplicate the track from Gowrie to Upfield and build the second platform at Upfield station. This provides efficiencies in reduced time for the Upfield having to be closed for upgrade and saving money and time for passengers that use the Upfield line.
While we have single track between Gowrie and Upfield, we will continue to have reliability issues on this line which especially impacts all the users who live north of Coburg due to the prevalence of using short shunting to resolve the problems.
We should not have to wait six or more years for Metro tunnel to be completed in 2025 to get the Upfield line duplicated. We need this to happen quickly to substantially improve service reliability. (See Wills Candidates pushed on Upfield Duplication at Climate Election Forum)
The Level Crossing Removal consultation is an ideal time to give this feedback to the Project to pass on to the government.
We note that Extend the Upfield Bike Path campaign on behalf of cyclists issued a media release today with recommendations for level crossing removal.
Please also email or write to your MPs requesting track duplication to be done at the same time as level crossing removal. (Download the current Flyer PDF that lists MPs to contact)
Two feedback sessions have been organised by the LXRP:
“You’re invited to community drop-in sessions to find out more about the project and share your ideas on the use of the new open space.
When:
Saturday 25 May 10:00am to 12:30pm
Tuesday 28 May 5:00pm to 7:30pm
Where: Admiral Room, Batman Royale,14 Gaffney Street, Coburg North
No RSVP needed, come along anytime during the sessions..”
Update 10 May, 2019 – Community forum to discuss LXRP designs
Moreland Community for Action on Transport (MCAT) have organised a community forum to be held straight after the first feedback session by the Level Crossing Removal Project.
When: Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 1 PM – 3 PM
Subject: Community Discussion Upfield Line LXing removal
Where: Coburg Library Meeting Room, Victoria Street Mall, Coburg
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/299447374304686/
Description:
“This is a Community meeting straight after the first LXRP “Drop-in session”, so we can actually have an informed discussion about what is proposed and what we want. We will then be able to take an informed, discussed (and hopefully unified) position back to the LXRP at their second drop-in session.
Any interested person in invited.
“Collectively, and with a willingness to compromise, we can still influence the design if we can agree on what needs to be improved.”
This meeting is intended to cover:
~ green space (protecting and improving it);
~ active transport both walking and cycling (including a veloway)
~ integration of all modes of transport.
Upgrade Upfield Line 