Brimbank council is seeking more information on why part of the Hampshire Road overpass ramp will be closed to vehicles as part of the Sunshine station masterplan.
As reported by the Star Weekly, the masterplan includes closure of part of the Hampshire Road overpass ramp to vehicles.
The Sunshine spurline proposes the transformation of the northern traffic lane of Hampshire Road Bridge to a new route for walking and cycling, offering an additional crossing point to the accessible northern concourse of the station. A future southern concourse crossing is also proposed to ensure there are multiple crossing points of the railway line.
The remainder of the bridge would remain in place as a connection for buses and general traffic.
At the recent council meeting, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly raised a notice of motion, saying the council wanted to have a better understanding why that decision was made.
“Sunshine is set to become the centre of Melbourne’s booming west, as a transport superhub,“ he said.
“To build on the transformation of Sunshine station, the department of transport and planning has prepared the Sunshine station masterplan.
“The purpose of this notice emotion is to understand in writing why other options were not considered such as creating a dedicated pedestrian and cycle path bridge between Hampshire Road and city place that could have closely supported and linked all the businesses on both sides of the bridge.
“In particular, we’re seeking clarification as to whether traffic studies will be or have been completed to support the project.“
The council will write to the department of transport and planning, requesting the additional information and justification to convert the Hampshire Road bridge to the spurline, rather than deliver a purpose built pedestrian and cycle path across the rail line.
A petition was handed to parliament earlier this year from residents calling for the masterplan to be withdrawn, focusing on the spurline.
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson previously told Star Weekly the masterplan focuses on improving safety and movement for everyone now and into the future.”
