By Mikayla van Loon
Designs have been released by the State government for Lilydale’s Cave Hill Road level crossing which will remove the roadway and create a pedestrian underpass despite concerns from the community.
Lilydale Township Action Group president Neal Taylor said the community had been advocating for the level crossing removal to keep traffic access, believing that blocking Cave Hill Road would cause congestion.
“By blocking traffic this is going to cause congestion from Melba Avenue on John Street and Maroondah Highway, especially around school times and even worse with Kinley opening up with more and more residents,” he said.
The design features a five-metre wide underpass, with stairs, ramps and lighting at night.
It will connect to walking and cycling paths as more development gets underway, including connections to the south through the Kinley Estate and north to the new Lilydale Station and Warburton Rail Trail.
Mr Taylor said there had been no community consultation about the appropriateness of this design for the needs of the suburb.
“The design is a concrete monstrosity and doesn’t resemble the new station or represent the area very well at all. There has been no community consultation about this,” he said.
Level crossing program director Steve Brown said the design was chosen as a way of providing a safe road way, while maintaining access for users of Cave Hill Road and Taylor Street, as well as local bus stops, sporting facilities and businesses on Melba Avenue.
“We’re removing every dangerous and congested level crossing on the Lilydale Line including at Cave Hill Road to ensure a safe connection to Lilydale High School, nearby homes, and businesses,” he said.
The Level Crossing Removal Authority confirmed consultation had been conducted with Lilydale High School, community groups and local businesses.
People have also taken to social media to call out the lack of broader community discussion and noting the traffic disturbances it could create for Lilydale High School users.
“Hard for the secondary college traffic all coming through past the shopping centre,” one person said.
“Since when has it been considered dangerous?” another person asked.
Residents of Lilydale, as well as Yarra Ranges Council, have been requesting the duplication of the Lilydale railway line be made a priority to help cater to the growing population.
“LTAG and the community have always asked that when the station was being built, they could have extended the ramp up to the station earlier creating an overpass for the Cave Hill crossing. This would also help with the second line that we believe needs to be added ASAP,” Mr Taylor said.
The Cave Hill Road closure is one of four projects on the Lilydale line and Mr Taylor said he believes someone without the knowledge of the logistics and history of the area has made the decision for this design.
“What is annoying, is that the plans were announced with no forewarning or acknowledging the community at all.
“We would [have liked] to see some community consultation before plans [were] finalised and that the overpass be created rather than this.”
