A $518 million works package to duplicate the Ballarat train line will not include the removal of a dangerous Deer Park level crossing.
Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn said in State Parliament earlier this month the Mount Derrimut Road crossing was a “major safety issue” that needed urgent attention.
He said Brimbank residents would be the “victims of neglect” if the government did not fund the crossing’s removal.
But a spokesman for Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the government had no plans for the crossing to be removed and would focus on providing more train services.
“The Ballarat line upgrade announced as part of last month’s Victorian budget will duplicate the line to Melton, upgrade stations and build more passing loops,” the spokesman said.
“This will mean more trains, more often for Melbourne’s booming west. We’re funding and removing 50 dangerous level crossings in the west and across Melbourne.
“Bernie Finn and the former Liberal government didn’t fund and remove any.”
The Deer Park level crossing is not on Labor’s priority list of 50 to be removed, while the removal of Sydenham’s Melton Highway crossing is in the planning stage.
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Paul Westcott said the government’s priority list should be reassessed following Regional Rail Link works.
He said Geelong trains had added considerably to the line’s workload and level crossing elimination should have been part of Regional Rail Link works.
“There is a case for looking at reprioritising due to the increase in rail traffic,” he said. “It’s worth reassessing.”
