Peak time gridlock a major problem

By Nicole Williams
MORE trains mean more cars are at a standstill through the municipality according to a Greater Dandenong Councillor.
Councillor Roz Blades highlighted the level crossing at Heatherton Road Noble Park as a particular concern but said Greater Dandenong was becoming a gridlocked city.
“We are getting responses to the need for additional trains but more trains makes Dandenong more gridlocked,” she said.
“We can not sit on our laurels as far as Greater Dandenong rail crossings are concerned.”
Cr Blades said the council had worked tirelessly to get a grade separation at Springvale Road, which was funded in this year’s State budget but more work was needed.
“Every day you drive in Greater Dandenong you will be stopped at a rail crossing,” she said.
“We are trying to bring in growth with the revitalisation but the rail closures will keep people away.”
An integrated system, incorporating road and rail travel, was needed to improve travelling conditions, according to Cr Blades.
“Our system of transport is not integrated and there are more cars on the road and more trains on the rails,” she said.
“And with more cars, more people and more trains, there is no capacity to add extra bus services because they can’t get through.”
The Noble Park level crossing is also close to the roundabout connecting Lightwood Road and Douglas Street with Heatherton Road, which can cause cars to bank up hundreds of metres in each direction when a train trundles through.
Cr Blades, who lives in Noble Park, sees the congestion at the level crossing and intersection every day and often drives out of her way to avoid it.
“I was there the other day and four trains went through in seven minutes,” Cr Blades said.
“The whole of Noble Park, during the peak period, is gridlocked and that is a real worry.”
“It is an area that everyone is trying to avoid but you can’t if you live in it”
Greater Dandenong Engineering Services Director Bruce Rendall said Council would like to see a rolling program of grade separation along the entire Dandenong Train line to help ease congestion.