Detours in place as Cheltenham‘s Charman Rd shut for level crossing removal work
Traders, drivers and bus users face five more weeks of disruption as Charman Rd closes for level crossing removal work — less than two months after the last shut down. And buses are again replacing trains on sections of the Frankston line.
Inner South
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Detours for drivers, bus route changes and pedestrian crossing closures are underway in Cheltenham as the Level Crossing Removal Project shuts down busy Charman Rd for five weeks.
And the suburb’s traders are bracing for more pain if the expected shopper numbers downturn materialises.
The busy strip will be blocked between Blagdon St and Station Rd until March 6, with drivers to be detoured via Nepean Hwy, Bay Rd, Reserve Rd and Balcombe Rd.
The shut down will take the total closure time to more than eight weeks over less than four months after similar disruptions angered traders and drivers in late November last year.
Bus routes 600, 811, 812, 922 and 923 are being disrupted by road detours and the pedestrian access across the Charman Rd level crossing will be unavailable. A pedestrian shuttle bus will operate between 6am to 7pm daily.
The LXRP says Cheltenham Station will be closed until 4am Sunday February 16, with the parkiteer bicycle cage also out of action until then.
Buses are replacing trains on the Frankston line between Moorabbin, Frankston and Stony Point until last train Sunday February 16 for work on the Carrum level crossing removal.
The disruptive blitz comes as a Cheltenham store owner told the Leader that uncertainty about the future of her ice cream shop is affecting her business.
Paradise Gelato was bought by Kingston Council along with apparel shop EmbroidMe next door for $1.85 million as part of plans to create a pedestrian gateway to connect that the section of Charman Rd through to the reinvigorated Cheltenham station.
But owner Joyce Ng said she had been left in the dark and unable to order stock in bulk as the council won’t give her clear answers about the future.
“Their answers change all the time,” Ms Ng said.
“Sometimes they say they’re going to develop one part and then they say another part.
“We’re not interested in getting in council’s way or causing an issue … we just want to know what we have to do and how long we’ve got.”
Council city assets and environment general manager Bridget Draper said discussions with both shop owners were ongoing.
“Council is holding discussions with Paradise Gelato and EmbroidMe seeking to negotiate an early end to both leases that would allow the development of this land into open space.
“(Level crossing works) set up the transport interchange for Cheltenham for many decades to come and recognise the growth in apartments.”
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The busy Paradise Gelato — which was the centre of a sickening racist attack when it opened in 2018 — bounced back as it gained popularity.
The bustling store was crowned runner up as Melbourne voted in the Leader’s poll for the region’s best ice cream in January.
“It’s unfortunate this is happening at the same time as level crossing removal works.
“We just want to give our customers an answer (as to what’s happening).”
EmbroidMe was contacted for comment.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au