Brunswick’s ‘sky rail’ has been delayed. In the meantime, this is what locals want

A three-year delay in building a sky rail through the heart of Brunswick has been hailed as an opportunity to transform the nearby Sydney Road shopping strip, with calls for the installation of accessible tram stops, wider footpaths and bike lanes before the Upfield line is ripped up.

But the proposal faces pushback from local traders concerned about losing on-street parking, while the Allan government refuses to commit to any changes along the bustling state-controlled thoroughfare.

Martin Leckey can’t use the Sydney Road trams near his home because they are not wheelchair accessible.Credit: Penny Stephens

Tuesday’s state budget confirmed the removal of eight level crossings on the Brunswick-Parkville border between Albion Street, Brunswick Road and Park Street had been pushed back from a 2027 completion date to 2030. Work is now expected to start in 2028.

The Level Crossing Removal Project has already built an elevated rail line from Bell Street in Coburg to Moreland Road. It intends to extend the line south through a rapidly developing residential enclave around Anstey, Brunswick and Jewell stations.

The project has promised to use new open space under the elevated tracks to expand the Upfield Bike Path, which is used by 2500 riders daily.

But the local Merri-bek Council and community advocates say locals will have no accessible public transport or safe cycling routes when that work gets underway, and want the long-running debate about Sydney Road settled.

“Sydney Road is the spine of our community, but as it stands, everyone wants change,” said Mayor Adam Pulford. “It’s not great for drivers, it’s not safe for cyclists, and it could be a much better experience for people shopping or going to cafes and restaurants.”

There are no level-access tram stops along a 5.5-kilometre stretch of Sydney Road between Brunswick and Bakers roads in Coburg North.

Pulford said the three-year delay was an opportunity to have accessible stops on the route 19 tram and protected bike lanes in place on Sydney Road before work begins on the Upfield sky rail.

Sydney Road Brunswick Association manager Troy Stuchbree said traders were concerned about how changes to the strip would affect businesses, with earlier plans showing the loss of some on-street parking.

The closure of the Upfield bike path would push even more cyclists onto Sydney Road (pictured). Credit: Paul Jeffers

“A proper precinct plan needs to be developed so that the precinct can respond and evolve ... with consideration for the experience of everyone while remaining economically viable,” Stuchbree said.

Disability advocate and wheelchair user Martin Leckey said the lack of level tram stops made Sydney Road a difficult place to visit for people with limited mobility, including parents pushing prams.

“Elderly people and anyone with any kind of mobility issue has a lot of trouble with trams if they don’t have a level access stop,” he said. “We need to see the whole route made accessible, particularly from Brunswick Road north.”

A combination of centre island and vehicle roll-over elevated tram stops has made route 96 accessible along nearly its entire length, including Nicholson Street in Brunswick East. Leckey said it showed that an engineering solution could also be found for Sydney Road.

The Upfield sky rail and bike path (pictured at Moreland station) will extend south through Brunswick. Credit: Jason South

Victoria was legally bound under the Disability Discrimination Act to make all 1600 of the city’s tram stops accessible by the end of 2022. But as of last June, it had upgraded only 458.

“It’s very disappointing that it hasn’t been made a priority,” Leckey said.

The Department of Transport and Planning says it will build 12 new accessible tram stops along La Trobe Street between Docklands and Spring Street this year, and is working on plans to upgrade stops on route 86 along Gertrude and Smith streets in Fitzroy and Collingwood, and High Street in Thornbury and Northcote.

A state government spokesperson said the needs of Sydney Road’s transport users, traders and locals needed to be balanced but would not comment specifically on how that could be achieved.

They said the Brunswick works were the only delays to the Level Crossing Removal Project, which was still on track to meet its pledge of removing 110 boom gate crossings by 2030.

“The Brunswick level crossing removal project is one of the most complex we will deliver – getting rid of eight level crossings on the Upfield line that runs through a tight inner urban area with important heritage, environmental and social considerations,” the spokesperson said.

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