Major flaw with lifts at Mont Albert’s Union Station while stairs have been cordoned off

It was billed as a “super station’’ for train travellers in Melbourne’s east, but Union Station in Mont Albert has already been plagued by major issues.

New Mont Albert ‘super station’ Union Station has major flaws with the elevators in hot weather.

First it was the lifts not working and now the stairs have been closed for repairs at a new railway station in the east of Melbourne.

Flights of stairs were cordoned off at Union station in Mont Albert because the tread had become hazardous, frustrating travellers who said the fix had been done about four times since the station opened 18 months ago.

Stairs cordoned off for repairs again at the Union 'super station' in Mont Albert. Pic: Supplied

The lifts failed in recent hot weather preventing people with disabilities and parents with prams from catching the train.

The new $800m station opened in May last year, but no ramps were built in the structure.

No ramps were built at Union Station, preventing those with disabilities or prams from accessing the platforms when the lifts are out of service. Picture: LXRP

Last weekend the lifts shut down in mid-30C heat, and stranded travellers were told to go to Box Hill or Chatham stations, the next stops kilometres along the Lilydale line.

Union Station was created when two rail crossings were removed on Union and Mont Albert Rds, and the stations at Mont Albert and Surrey Hills closed.

Residents are furious at the planning oversight and want certainty that the lifts would work.

Long-time Surrey Hills resident Elizabeth Meredith said the previous two stations, built in the 1880s, had better accessibility than the new station.

Hot weather caused the lifts to fail at Union Station. Picture: LXRP

Ms Meredith said she raised the problem during the planning and consultation stage.

“I can read a plan and I asked where the ramps were but got nothing.

“I used to use the train all the time but now I can’t. It’s too hard for people with mobility issues and older people.’’

Susannah Aumann from the Rail Corridor Residents Group said the problem was unacceptable and launched a petition: “Fix the lifts at Union Station so they work in hot weather”.

“This creates a major accessibility issue,’’ she said.

Surrey Hills residents Elizabeth Etty-Leal, Bill Gray and Elizabeth Meredith at Union Station where the lifts stop working during hot weather. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“Anyone who can’t use stairs is prevented from using Union Station on hot days.’’

Disability advocate Shane Hryhorec called for the issue to be fixed urgently.

“Public transport in Victorian for people with disabilities has been disgraceful for a long time.’’

“You need to have a lift and a ramp — not just one.’’

The station has ramp access to the station concourse, but not to the platforms.

Residents and local businesses endured two years of noise, dust and disruption while the new station was built.

A Level Crossing Removal Project spokesperson said the stairs had remained open at Union Station at all times and rectification works had been completed.

A Victorian government spokesman said the lifts at Union Station were out of service for a short period of time.

“Technicians are currently carrying out further rectification works – they are fully operational, with all platforms accessible by stairs and lifts,” the spokesman said.

It’s believed that ramps were not part of the design, because the depth of the new rail trench would require ramps at a length and steepness not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The government spokesman said before it was removed the Union Rd level crossing was one of the most dangerous in the state.

Originally published as Major flaw with lifts at Mont Albert’s Union Station while stairs have been cordoned off