Urgent calls to remove notorious North Shore level crossing

Another boom gate crash at North Shore has reignited calls for the level crossing’s removal, as commuters faced yet more Geelong line chaos.

Public Transport Users Association Geelong branch convener Jarred Crowe is calling for changes to the North Shore level crossing intersection. Picture: Alison Wynd

A transport users organisation has renewed calls for the notorious North Shore level crossing to be removed, after a vehicle hit the boom gate this week.

The crash, about 6am Tuesday, led to train cancellations and delays for Geelong line passengers.

Public Transport Users Association convener Jarred Crowe said there had been a “history of crashes” at the site.

It’s understood the North Shore level crossing is not currently on the state government’s list for removal, and it is not known if it will be included in any future plans.

The group first called for the level crossing to be removed last year following the December 2023 death of a Frankston truck driver.

Johnny Stubbs, 30, died after a V/Line Melbourne-bound train collided with his truck at the same crossing.

It is believed Mr Stubbs was out of his vehicle at the time of the crash after the truck’s trailer, which was carrying a heavy load of machinery, became stuck on the tracks.

He had just become a father for the third time. In that year there were three crashes within six months at the level crossing.

A bus also collided with the boom gates in 2020.

Mr Crowe said many in power conceded the crossing was a safety issue, but nothing had been done to address the issues.

“It needs to go in some way or shape – it is such a problem and causes so many delays on the Geelong line,” he said.

Public Transport Users Association Geelong branch convener Jarred Crowe is calling for changes to the North Shore level crossing intersection. Picture: Alison Wynd

PTUA regional spokesman Paul Westcott said boom gates “don’t seem to cut it” at the site.

“There is a level crossing removal program,” he said.

“(North Shore is) recognised as a problem, but we don’t know where, if anywhere, it is on the list,” he said.

The track is managed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation.

A spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday’s incident and said workers attended the scene and reattached the broken boom gate arm.

“Following safety inspections, the crossing was certified for normal operations to resume approximately two hours later,” she said.

When asked if the corporation was aware of calls to remove the crossing, she said the site had safety infrastructure in place.

“Rail safety is paramount,” she said.

“Almost all level crossing collisions are the result of the road user failing to give way to trains.

“Trains always have right of way and simply cannot stop quickly, especially with a load.”

The state government’s Level Crossing Removal Project team would not say how many incidents had been recorded at the site over the last five years.

“We have removed three level crossings in the Greater Geelong area, boosting safety and easing congestion,” a spokesman said.

Originally published as Urgent calls to remove notorious North Shore level crossing