Rail line closure for freeway construction

By Sean Lennon

MELBOURNE -- Victoria's new transport minister, Robin Cooper, caused outrage in the northern suburbs on February 4, when he announced that the Upfield line, long a battleground between the authorities and residents, would close for six months to allow construction of the City Link freeway project.

This flies in the face of a public statement by the head of the Public Transport Corporation that the line would remain open during construction.

Under the government's plan, the line would be closed between Flemington Bridge and North Melbourne stations, with buses ferrying people to Newmarket station, on the Broadmeadows line. From there, passengers would catch another train to the city.

Community groups have expressed opposition to the plan, not least because other lines have remained open during similar works, including the nearby Broadmeadows line while a bridge was built over it for the Western Ring Road on Melbourne's outskirts. All that the closure will do is save Transurban money.

Secondly, although the buses provided will be wheelchair accessible, getting to the buses from the train could be a nightmare for those with non-motorised wheelchairs, as Flemington Bridge station is well above ground.

Also to be taken into account is the effect of the closure on the long-term viability of the line. Cooper's predecessor, Alan Brown, tried to close the Upfield line but relented after sustained pressure from the community.

This freeway has been severely criticised by reports forwarded to the Environment Protection Authority.

These studies, conducted by independent consultants on behalf of the City of Yarra council, suggest that ``the impact of car exhaust pollution has been seriously underestimated'', and that the ventilation system of the Burnley Tunnel would result ``in a grossly excessive and unjust noise intrusion'' on local communities.

The Upgrade Upfield Coordinating Committee has decided to fight the closure. A public meeting will be held on March 11. For more information, phone Nik Dow on 9383 2461.

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