Level Crossing Removal Authority releases plans for new-look Hughesdale station

PLANS for a new-look, modern Hughesdale station have been revealed, but it will mean months of pain for commuters while the station is built.

An artists' impression of the updated Hughesdale Station design.

COMMUTERS in Glen Eira are facing months of disruption with work to start next month on the new-look, modern Hughesdale station.

Plans for station, to be rebuilt across the road from its current location on Poath Rd, have now been released.

The entrance to the station will be located close to the Poath Rd shopping precinct.

Level Crossing Removal Authority acting project director Zeljko Dobrilovic said the new facility would be a far cry from the current Hughesdale station, which he said was “basically a 1970s brick shelter stuck out on a platform”.

“We’ll be building a waiting room and covered areas of platform to protect passengers from the elements, and installing CCTV cameras for better safety and security.

“The new station will also cater far better for passengers with special needs, providing dedicated drop-off zones, disability permit parking, accessible toilets, and hearing loops in waiting rooms and on platforms,” Mr Dobrilovic said.

According to 2016 RACV ‘on track’ report the station (hastily rebuilt after a fire in the ‘70s) has one of the lowest customer satisfaction scores on the line, scoring 5.78 out of 10.

For walkers and cyclists, there will also be a landscaped connection linking to the station precinct from the existing Boyd Park trail, along with a new secure bike parking (parkiteer) cages.

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The station will be closed from October 14 and will reopen some time in 2018, when the Poath Rd level crossing has been removed and the new station built.

Train replacement buses will operate for commuters.

Level Crossing Removal Authority project director Brett Summers said community feedback had been taken on board, with a reduction in the height of the station canopy by 1.8m, the inclusion of escalators and improved lighting and CCTV security.

The station will also include stair and lifts for improved accessibility and pedestrian flow, large sections of covered platform, toilets, protective services officer facilities, bicycle parking cage, taxi bays and commuter parking including disability permit parking and dedicated drop-off zones.

An RACV ‘on track’ report from last year reported low customer satisfaction for Hughesdale Station.

The station received a rating of just 5.78 — one of the worst on the line.

Rebuilt in the 1970s after a fire, the station was identified as “of poor standard”.

Commuters reported a lack of toilets and seating as well as difficulty finding a car park at the station.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said he was pleased to see that bus stops would be located directly outside the station for better interchange, but he said there were some missed opportunities in the design.

“We’d like to have seen an additional entrance facing west, making the station more accessible from Railway Parade and the Outer Circle Trail,” Mr Bowen said.

And he called for more detail regarding the design from the LXRA in

The LXRA is holding a ‘meet the experts’ session with project engineers and designers tomorrow, Thursday, September 28, from 5.30pm-7.30pm at Murrumbeena Park Bowls Club, 26-28 Gerald St.