About 50 parking spots at busy Launching Way boat ramp are out of use due to level crossing removal work

Boat ramps at Launching Way in Carrum have been affected by level crossing removal work on precious parking areas and operators say the busy September season would be ‘chaos’ if the LXRA hasn’t gone by then.

OPERATORS of the State’s busiest boat ramp fear it will be “crippled” during peak season with up to 50 parking spaces clogged with equipment for level crossing removal works.

Launching Way operators said parking capacity at the Carrum facility was reduced by about a third and one of the four boat ramps would be closed until the equipment was removed.

“The size and position of the compound means that there won’t be enough room for cars with trailers to be able to use boat ramp number one,” Trevor Hogan said.

“We’ll have to close that ramp and its three lanes.”

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He said the resulting queues of traffic would stretch back along McLeod Rd and possibly affect motorists exiting Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Thompsons Rd.

Mr Hogan said the LXRA would require the car park space until October, but he feared delays could mean the equipment would not be moved until November.

“By November we have 600 boats a day launching. It would be chaos.”

Launching Way at Carrum is one of the state’s busiest boat ramps.

But LXRA project director Adam Maguire said the Station St bridge construction was on schedule.

“We’re continuing to work with the operators of Launching Way to ensure the impact of the project is minimal as we come into fishing season,” he said.

There are 365 parking bays in the Launching Way main car park and another 50 on a grassed area nearby.

Season passes for the boat ramps are valid from September 1 with the snapper expected in Port Phillip Bay later that month.

Site briefings for the public will be held on Saturday, July 7, 10am and Tuesday, July 10 at 10am at the viewing area.