Jennifer Pittorino
Williamstown residents are frustrated, disappointed and confused over the proposed closure of busy Champion Road for level crossing removal work.
Resident, local business owner and spokesperson for community group, ‘Keep Champion Road Open’, Gill Gannon is advocating for the road to remain open.
“We are trying to help them (the state government) explore other options rather than closing the road down, given how much it is used by the community,” she said.
“The frequency with which we use the road is extreme. There are nearby schools, pedestrians, cycling traffic, there is a cemetery nearby, all which attract thousands of vehicles a day.
“The biggest issue we have is with the proposed roads which the traffic will need to flow onto, being Maddox Road, Kororoit Creek Road and Mason Street, all of which are already heavily used and congested.”
Ms Gannon was shocked when on Friday, June 2, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan sent out letters to key focus groups reiterating that the closure would go ahead.
All while the project is still in the community consultation phase.
“That was so disappointing. We met with Ms Allan’s office on Sunday, June 2, when they had said all the engineering reports had not been done as well as community consultation,” said Ms Gannon.
“The survey that is running now should’ve been done long before a decision was made, they are doing it late in the process and have made decisions without interpreting the data and looking at alternative solutions.“
According to the government there are no feasible options to remove the adjacent level crossing at Champion Road without closing the thoroughfare.
The government said the proximity of the level crossing to Maddox Street means that the crossing can be closed with associated traffic network improvements to improve safety and reduce travel times.
“It’s frustrating, it’s upsetting, it’s a simply lazy solution,” said Ms Gannon.
“We will keep doing everything we can to keep it open,. If a good solution is not offered and the road is closed, people will cross those tracks regardless of whether it’s safe or legal.”
