State election 2018: Matthew Guy pledges to duplicate Hurstbridge line if Libs win government

THE congested Hurstbridge rail line will be duplicated between Greensborough and Eltham meaning extra trains can run, if the Opposition wins this year’s state election.

THE congested Hurstbridge rail line will be duplicated between Greensborough and Eltham if the Opposition wins this year’s state election.

The promise, made by Liberal leader Matthew Guy and Eltham Liberal candidate Nick McGowan, will see $307 million pumped into the project.

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The upgrade will enable more services to run down the line, and complement recent duplication works between Heidelberg and Rosanna, Mr Guy said.

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“We’re locked into it 100 per cent and we believe it will be money well-spent,” Mr Guy said.

“The duplication has been planned for decades, but never before has anyone committed to finally building it.

State Opposition leader Matthew Guy (left) and Eltham Liberal candidate Nick McGowan at Montmorency railway station. Picture: James Ross

“Having grown up in Montmorency, I know how important it is to improve rail services to the northeast, so I am keen to finally see the duplicated line built.”

A new platform, more parking spaces, lighting and shelter will also be built at Montmorency railway station.

It follows last week’s Liberal Party announcement that $4 million would be spent on building an extra 150 parking spaces at Eltham, Montmorency and Greensborough stations.

Mr McGowan said it would be a “historic win” for commuters.

“Not since 1888 when the first glimpses of a rail line to Eltham began to emerge has such an important announcement been made locally,” he said.

“It is a key part of getting people back on suburban rail, easing congestion and helping our environment.”

“I’ve been knocking on a lot of doors in Eltham and a lot of locals tell me we need these extra car parking spaces and we need to cut traffic congestion,” Mr McGowan said.

“Extra car parks at stations like Eltham and Montmorency will encourage greater use of our rail system. In conjunction with our intersection removal program, this will help to relieve the huge congestion on Main Road and Fitzsimons Lane.”

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Mr Guy told the Diamond Valley Leader more upgrades would be announced in coming months.

The first section of the Hurstbridge Line was open in 1888 between Victoria Park (was known as Collingwood) and Heidelberg. Four years later it was extended to Eltham then in June 1912 expanded to Hurst’s Bridge (now Hurstbridge).

Last month, services at Diamond Creek station were labelled the worst along the Hurstbridge line and ranked among the worst in the state, as part of the 2017 RACV and Leader News On Track survey.

For services, which were described as too infrequent, Diamond Creek was ranked 4.95 out of 10.

The overall station was ranked 5.06, down from 6.67 in 2015.

“It is imperative that we see improvements to these poorly rated stations to not only improve the commute of those who use these stations daily, but also to encourage more Victorians in these growth areas to use public transport and take pressure of our roads,” RACV manager of mobility advocacy Dave Jones said.