Push on for rail crossing

By Melissa Grant
THE development of a pedestrian rail crossing in McGregor Road, Pakenham, may be fast tracked after residents expressed concern about schoolchildren risking their lives at the rail line.
Cardinia Shire councillor Collin Ross and three members of the Heritage Springs’ Residents group met with State Government officials last week in a bid to have the project brought forward.
As reported in the Gazette, locals have been worried about young children dicing with death by ignoring the existing rail crossing which is difficult to access. One resident said they were horrified to witness a train nearly hit a young boy.
Cr Ross and members of the residents group met with two ministerial officers and two people from the Department of Transport for 30 minutes on Tuesday, 6 October.
Cr Ross said he was optimistic that the meeting would ensure the new rail crossing was developed as quickly as possible.
“They seem positive they can talk to VicTrack to fast track the section of crossing,” he said. “If we could get the crossing started in 12 months it would be a positive result. We (council) see it as critical for pedestrian and driver safety.”
Cr Ross said Spring Street would contact him within the coming weeks, hopefully with a resolution. The council has engaged VicTrack to act as project managers to upgrade the rail crossing as part of stage two of the McGregor Road duplication project.
Pedestrian crossings, with boomgates, are proposed for both sides of the road to ensure people can safely cross the railway line.
Most residents avoid using the existing crossing because they first have to cross busy McGregor Road. Cr Ross said increased traffic on the carriageway highlighted the need for a crossing on the eastern side of the road.
Traffic counts in February showed 10,800 vehicles used McGregor Road each day and Cr Ross expected the figure to climb to 32,000 when housing estates in the area were completed.