Traffic build-up continues as drivers wait on Glenroy crossing removal

The amount of cars on Glenroy Rd has risen dramatically in recent years. Fed-up motorists have had enough and are demanding action on a long-touted level crossing removal. Now, they’re piling the pressure on the State Government.

Boom gates on Glenroy Rd continue to hold up traffic. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The long-awaited Glenroy Rd level crossing removal is being blamed by commuters for stagnant traffic as car numbers rise on the busy road.

VicRoads data showed the road suffered the third biggest percentage increase of traffic in the past five years, jumping from 18,000 cars per day to 23,000.

That 28 per cent increase ranked below Craigieburn Rd with a 36 per cent increase and Vineyard Rd in Sunbury with 29 per cent. Half of the top 10 roads to record major increases were in the city’s north, while two were in the west.

Gridlocked traffic is a regular occurrence on Glenroy Rd. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Level Crossing Removal Project has touted the Glenroy train station removal since 2013 but the work remains in the planning stage.

The LXRP is committed to removing the crossing by 2022.

Nearby resident Amie Brennan said she got stuck on Glenroy Rd at the crossing every day.

“I’ve experienced lengthy delays at all times of the day (with) peak hours being the most painful,” she said.

“The most frustrating thing is that Glenroy station has been on the list for a long time and the commencement date keeps getting pushed back.”

The crossing removal was first announced in 2013. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Figures from the LXRP show that 19,000 vehicles use the crossing each day, with boom gates down for 52 minutes during two hours of the morning peak.

An online petition created last week by Ms Brennan asking the State Government to bring the removal forward gathered 1000 signatures in six days.

“I’d love for someone from the government to experience (the delays) on a daily basis and see how long they might last in the area,” she said.

Readers commenting on the Moreland Leader Facebook page nominated the crossing as the biggest cause of traffic woes, with Darren Stones claiming it is “the obvious problem”.

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VicRoads chief engineering and road management officer Andrew Wall said new technology was being implemented to ease the city’s congestion.

“We continually monitor traffic volume, congestion and road safety to help determine trends and changing travel patterns across our road network,” he said.

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