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Tuesday\u2019s state budget confirmed the removal of eight level crossings on the Brunswick-Parkville border between Albion Street, Brunswick Road and Park Street had been pushed back<\/a> from a 2027 completion date to 2030. Work is now expected to start in 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Level Crossing Removal Project has already built an elevated rail line from Bell Street in Coburg<\/a> to Moreland Road. It intends to extend the line south through a rapidly developing residential enclave around Anstey, Brunswick and Jewell stations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project has promised to use new open space under the elevated tracks to expand the Upfield Bike Path<\/a>, which is used by 2500 riders daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the local Merri-bek Council and community advocates say locals will have no accessible public transport or safe cycling routes when that work gets underway, and want the long-running debate about Sydney Road settled<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSydney Road is the spine of our community, but as it stands, everyone wants change,\u201d said Mayor Adam Pulford. \u201cIt\u2019s not great for drivers, it\u2019s not safe for cyclists, and it could be a much better experience for people shopping or going to cafes and restaurants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are no level-access tram stops along a 5.5-kilometre stretch of Sydney Road between Brunswick and Bakers roads in Coburg North.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pulford said the three-year delay was an opportunity to have accessible stops on the route 19 tram and protected bike lanes in place on Sydney Road before work begins on the Upfield sky rail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sydney Road Brunswick Association manager Troy Stuchbree said traders were concerned about how changes to the strip would affect businesses, with earlier plans showing the loss of some on-street parking.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cA proper precinct plan needs to be developed so that the precinct can respond and evolve … with consideration for the experience of everyone while remaining economically viable,\u201d Stuchbree said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disability advocate and wheelchair user Martin Leckey said the lack of level tram stops made Sydney Road a difficult place to visit for people with limited mobility, including parents pushing prams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cElderly people and anyone with any kind of mobility issue has a lot of trouble with trams if they don\u2019t have a level access stop,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need to see the whole route made accessible, particularly from Brunswick Road north.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A combination of centre island and vehicle roll-over elevated tram stops has made route 96 accessible along nearly its entire length, including Nicholson Street in Brunswick East. Leckey said it showed that an engineering solution could also be found for Sydney Road.<\/p>\n\n\n Victoria was legally bound under the Disability Discrimination Act to make all 1600 of the city\u2019s tram stops accessible by the end of 2022<\/a>. But as of last June, it had upgraded only 458.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s very disappointing that it hasn\u2019t been made a priority,\u201d Leckey said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-66.jpeg\")
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