Traffic chaos in central Sunbury after car destroys boom gate

A DRIVER fled after his car took out a boom gate at Sunbury’s Station St rail crossing during yesterday’s evening peak hour.

There was chaos at the Sunbury level crossing in Station St on Wednesday evening.

A DRIVER fled after his car took out a boom gate at the Station St rail crossing in Sunbury during yesterday’s evening peak hour.

The motorist fled the scene, despite their actions disabling the other boom gate and stopping traffic moving through central Sunbury for close to two hours.

Sergeant John Letchford said the motorist crashed into the barrier while driving west at about 5.20pm.

Police had to manually manage traffic until the boom gates were reinstalled at 7.10pm.

“The other boom gate was stuck down after the crash and stalled traffic, banking it around the CBD,” Sgt Letchford said.

“It was a very stupid and irresponsible action which has tied up police resources and frustrated hundreds of drivers.”

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The Station St crossing is one of two in Sunbury over the rail track and motorists already battle delays in the area with the congested Horne St/Gap Rd roundabout less than 200m away.

Sunbury Residents Association president Bernie O’Farrell said the incident again highlighted the need for a third rail crossing further along Horne St.

“The promise from Hume Council would be there would a third crossing built when a certain number of houses were built on Jacksons Hill, but that never happened,” he said.

Mr O’Farrell said while the residents association supported the conversion of the Horne St and Gap Rd roundabout to traffic lights, that project was also set to cause further delays in central Sunbury.

“With two crossings and Sunbury rapidly growing there only has to be one accident at the bridge (Macedon St) or at Station St and Sunbury is in gridlock,” he said.

Mr O’Farrell said the lack of a third crossing was also a concern in emergency situations.

Anyone with information about last night’s incident should contact Senior Constable Kevin Moore on 9744 8111.