Community group Avenel Active is urging Euroa electorate candidates to commit to rail safety upgrades in town.
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Avenel Active is calling on all candidates in the Euroa electorate at the upcoming Victorian election to commit to urgent rail safety upgrades in Avenel, more than 18 months after a primary school student was seriously injured at a level crossing.
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“There is no effective physical separation between pedestrians and passing trains at either the Bank St or Ewings Rd crossings, despite multiple passenger and freight trains passing through Avenel daily,” Avenel Active’s Julie Dobbie said.
“It's been more than 18 months since a young girl was seriously injured at the Bank St crossing, but we're still waiting for a commitment for permanent safety upgrades.”
Avenel is one of only four of the 22 main V/Line stations between Melbourne and Albury without an underpass or locking pedestrian gates.
It is also one of only three towns on the Albury line where the rail crossing is the only pedestrian link between the town centre and residential areas, requiring many residents to cross the tracks daily to access schools, shops and community facilities.
There are no locking pedestrian gates at the rail crossing at Avenel Railway Station.
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“Avenel is growing. With more than 200 new lots and a childcare centre approved, the number of pedestrians using the town’s rail crossings will significantly increase,” Ms Dobbie said.
“The risk of more serious injuries, or worse, is evident.”
Avenel Active is calling on all candidates to commit to installing automatic locking gates at the pedestrian level crossings at Avenel Railway Station and the Ewings Rd rail crossing.
The group is also seeking a commitment to build a safe and accessible V/Line car park at Avenel Railway Station, including sealed and marked car parking, footpaths and safety lighting.
Resident John Hyland said the current station car park was inadequate.
“The parking and pedestrian access is mainly potholed blue metal and track ballast, with little maintenance by rail authorities,” Mr Hyland said.
“Many regional Victorians must drive long distances to stations and require safe car parking and accessibility.
“But, there seems to be no Victorian Government policy requiring V/Line stations to have safe and accessible parking and footpaths.”
Ms Dobbie welcomed a recent election commitment from the Victorian Coalition of $1.5 million towards automatic pedestrian gates, disability access and pedestrian footpaths.
“The community has spent years advocating for improvements, but Avenel is still waiting for basic rail safety infrastructure and services,” she said.
“As the election approaches, we encourage residents to ask all candidates to make a commitment to upgrade the Avenel rail precinct.
“Avenel Active is not aligned to any political party. We just want our community, especially our kids, to be safe.”
