Buckley St level crossing removal will go ahead with road under rail option, meeting told

THE road under rail option for the Buckley St level crossing removal is a foregone conclusion, a public forum in Moonee Ponds has been told — sparking accusations the process was a ‘waste of time’. WATCH

• Traders’ fears for level crossing plans
• Design plans slammed by council
• Sky rail option not on the table
• ‘Dangerous’ level crossings to go

THE road under rail option for the Buckley St level crossing removal is a done deal, Essendon state Labor MP Danny Pearson says.

Mr Pearson told a crowd of about 450 people the Level Crossing Removal Authority’s (LXRA) preferred road under rail option would proceed.

Construction contracts would be awarded in the next two weeks.

HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you think of the road-under-rail option? Tell us below.

Mr Pearson was one of five MPs to front a public forum at the Clocktower Centre in Moonee Ponds on Saturday.

Labor MP for Essendon Danny Pearson speaking at the forum alongside Greens MP Colleen Hartland and Mayor of Moonee Valley Andrea Surace. Picture: Supplied

“Yes, this is proceeding,” Mr Pearson said when asked if the LXRA’s preferred option was a foregone conclusion.

More than a third of the audience left the hall in disgust once their hopes of the road being built over the rail tracks were dashed.

Ziynet Dane, a 40-year resident of Essendon, was shattered by the news.

“I feel like the decision was made and they’ve wasted our time,” Ms Dane said.

Some of the crowd at Saturday’s forum at the Clocktower Centre in Moonee Ponds.

Mr Pearson said the State Government’s option would be the safest for pedestrians.

“The road under rail option separates pedestrians from cars. You won’t have that with the rail under the road,” Mr Pearson said.

Moonee Valley councillors recently allocated $50,000 to fight the State Government’s plans.

Mayor Andrea Surace said despite Mr Pearson’s comments, the council would continue to fight for a better option.

“The East West Link was a ‘done deal’ too and council continued to fight for this community until the outcome was changed,” Cr Surace said.

“This decision ultimately rests with politicians and we have all seen governments change their minds before when enough people speak up and demand to be heard.”

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan and LXRA did not attend the forum.