DIVISIVE level crossing removal works which will cut off access to Eel Race Road are expected to begin after the current batch of work at Carrum Station.
Major works are now underway to remove the level crossing at Station Street, which will result in buildings such as Seacombe House, Beach Lane, and Face the Art being torn down. The $50 million “revitalisation” works in the area will add a new park and town square next to the station.
Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny said “access via Eel Race Road will remain until after the new McLeod Road extension and intersection has been constructed.”
The closure of Eel Race Road has been protested by locals, who in 2017 handed a petition with over 500 signatures on it to the state government rallying against the closure of the road. (“Race on to save road”, The Times, 23/8/17)
In May 2017, Frankston Council also flagged their opposition to the closure of Eel Race Road, voting unanimously to write to the LXRA and state Labor MPs to “formally oppose the closure of Eel Race Road on a number of grounds including the increase of congestion, particularly on Railway Parade (Seaford), Armstrongs Road (Seaford) and Station St (Seaford)”. The successful motion stated that “the process has once again failed Frankston residents in that no consultation and no justification was evident in arriving at this decision.”
When asked how long the current batch of works would take, Ms Kilkenny said “2019 is going to be a big year in Carrum with major works to remove the level crossings already underway. A worksite along Eel Race Road has been established and safety barriers are up along Station Street as construction starts on the temporary rail track which will run from the Patterson River to Eel Race Road. ”
“Trains are expected to be using the temporary track from mid 2019 while the existing train storage yard in Carrum is decommissioned before the Kananook train storage facility is operating in late 2020,” she said.