Infrastructure Victoria report says Cranbourne rail line should be extended to Clyde in 10 to 15 years
A NEW report recommends the Cranbourne rail line be extended to Clyde in 10 to 15 years, but experts warn that could be too long to wait.
South East
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THE Cranbourne rail line should be extended to Clyde in 10 to 15 years, according to a new report.
Infrastructure Victoria made the recommendation in its final 30 Year Infrastructure Strategy, halving its original draft estimate of 15-30 years.
However, experts have criticised the time frame, saying it is still too long to wait, with government forecasts showing the Cranbourne East and Clyde population will hit 240,000 by 2025.
RELATED: overcrowding at Cranbourne railway station
Cranbourne Leader is fighting for the extension of the line through its Put Clyde Back on Track campaign.
Public Transport Users’ Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said the extension of the Cranbourne train line should happen before the population boom, not after.
“The sooner the better for that rail extension, to make sure people have transport options when they move in,” Mr Bowen said.
“It’s very important to extend public transport into new areas as they develop.”
RELATED: support grows for Cranbourne train line extension
Mr Bowen said he believed duplication of the Cranbourne line was also critical.
“Most of the Cranbourne line is single track and that causes a bottleneck and limits the number of trains that can run, so they really ought to be making sure they can duplicate it as quickly as possible to make sure there are enough trains.”
Opposition spokesman on public transport David Hodgett said the Clyde rail extension would be a priority for a Coalition government.
“It needs a solution sooner, rather than later,” Mr Hodgett said.
“You already have people cramming to get onto that crowded line. You can only imagine what it will be like in 10 to 15 years’ time.”
The Infrastructure Victoria report found the extension was expected to cost $1 billion-$3 billion.
“This recommendation was brought forward from 15-30 years to support the development of Clyde as a designed growth area,” a spokesperson said.
The State Government has 12 months to respond to the report with a five-year plan for infrastructure priorities.