Melbourne’s leafy east set for level crossing removal mayhem

Fuming residents in Melbourne’s east face months of not being able to drive in and out of their homes due to a level crossing removal project.

Level crossing boom gates at Surrey Hills railway station. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Angry residents face months of not being able to drive in and out of their homes due to a level crossing removal project (LXRP) in the city’s leafy east.

They say that works to remove a level crossing at Union Rd, Surrey Hills, have turned their street into a construction zone, and lack of car access will severely disrupt family and working life.

The residents of nearby Sunbury Crescent were initially told that concrete barriers put in front of their houses would only stay for a week.

But after a resident parked their car in front of an excavator to get answers, project officials admitted that access will be blocked for months.

Resident Sam Ralton said families were furious.

“We have been told, with less than seven days’ notice, that we are no longer given the right of access to use our house under its current use, and have not been offered alternative arrangements as recompense,” he said.

Residents are fuming about the disruptions. Picture: Brendan Beckett

The level crossing removal works have turned Union Rd, Surrey Hills, into a construction zone. Picture: Josie Hayden

Anthony Albanese and Daniel Andrews visit the level crossing removal site. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“It’s a huge inconvenience in that we have multiple movements with kids’ sport, and I work from home.”

With the partial road closure due to start on Friday, residents are also concerned about lack of access to their properties by ambulances, food delivery services and tradespeople.

Affected residents have been offered limited parking for one car at the local Coles store, but say this is inadequate.

They want the option of alternative accommodation now – not just for major works planned in 2023 – and for appropriate compensation to be paid for the disruption.

Liberal Party candidate for the state seat of Hawthorn, John Pesutto, said local residents deserved to be treated with respect, and supported when such works were undertaken.

“Instead, the Andrews Labor Government is ignoring their reasonable concerns, and leaving them to deal with the massive impacts of this disruption on their families without proper compensation or effective help,” he said.

LXRP said services including an outdated storm water drain on Sunbury Cres must be upgraded to allow for the excavation of the new rail trench early in 2023.

It was also reviewing the length of time the road needed to be shut.

“The Level Crossing Removal Project will continue to work with residents on Sunbury Cres who are living in close proximity to major works as we remove these two deadly level crossings,” a spokeswoman said.

“LXRP is now reviewing the works that restrict vehicle access on the street, and

will do everything we can to reduce the period of disruption and will be in touch with residents soon.”