Anger grows over Blackburn rail project
Anger continues to grow over what the Andrews government is doing and not doing with the Blackburn rail project.
This includes:
– refusing to enlarge the current narrow pedestrian underpass at Blackburn Station or to make other station upgrades
– planning to run a bike path right across the busy South Parade underpass entrance, risking danger to pedestrians and cyclists alike
– rushing ahead with a bike path route along the south side of the railway line without properly examining whether a north side route would be better for cyclists and avoid impacts on trees, parklands and local streets
– inadequate answers on Blackburn Road traffic flow and traffic lights once the crossing is removed.
Local residents, traders and cyclists have combined to call a public meeting to inform the community about what is happening and to provide an opportunity to have a say.
If you live or work in Blackburn, come along to the meeting on Thursday, 11 February at 7.30pm at the Jaycee Hall, 12 Silver Grove, Nunawading, to hear more about what the government have planned and how you can make a difference. For further information, email the Blackburn Village Residents’ Group at bvrg@ymail.com.
As well, if you’d like to see a better outcome for this project, sign my petition at http://bit.ly/1Svwzm9 to tell the government to stop short-changing our community and do the job properly.
The government’s current plans will leave our community with a dark, narrow pedestrian underpass that will become increasingly inadequate with the growing number of apartments being built on the north side of the railway line.
The underpass needs to be widened, with entrances opened up in a way that gives better visibility and “see through”, provides a welcoming link between north and south of the line and helps integrate the Blackburn Station Village.
This project was fully funded under the Napthine Liberal-Nationals government in 2014, and the Andrews Labor government needs to implement it properly instead of cutting corners.