FRUSTRATED Seddon residents say they are being kept in the dark about the future of pedestrian footbridges over Sydenham line railway tracks.
Extra tracks being built as part of Regional Rail Link (RRL) works are forcing the demolition of the Rising Sun footbridge and West Footscray station pedestrian bridge.
The two bridges are due to be replaced with a crossing at the new West Footscray station, which will be about 160 metres west of the current site.
Seddon’s Shannon Lea said dozens of residents who wrote more than three months ago to Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder pleading for the Rising Sun bridge to be replaced had heard nothing back.
“Having heard nothing back from the minister, we’re following it up with the Regional Rail Link Authority,” she said. “We have put a few options to them and there is no reason they couldn’t look at some of these options.”
Residents are worried the loss of the Rising Sun bridge will increase the number of car trips and sever the link between homes, parks and schools. RRLA spokeswoman Megan Cusack said the new West Footscray station was about 300 metres from the existing Rising Sun pedestrian bridge. “We are continuing to work with council on this area of the project to ensure outcomes are consistent with their master planning process,” she said.
Greens MP Colleen Hartland said walking and cycling links should be expanded.
Residents are understandably apprehensive as the loss of the footbridges will have a “significant impact”, she said. “But the minister hasn’t even bothered to respond to their letters. He has left them hanging for three months. This is an unacceptable way to treat the community.”
Ms Hartland said residents were facing the potential loss of community links.
Ms Cusack said community engagement had included erection of an information stand at the Western Bulldogs’ family day in February and a letter and feedback form posted to more than 5000 properties in Kingsville, Seddon, Footscray and West Footscray. “Counts on the Rising Sun footbridge and West Footscray station footbridge were also performed in January/February and again in April to understand the usage of these bridges.”
But Ms Lea warned against acting too quickly and ignoring the needs of local residents.
“Once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.”
The minister’s office did not respond before deadline time.
