What we are seeking
We are advocating for a Victorian Government commitment to complete the Northern Trail along the Hurstbridge Railway Corridor, providing a safe walking and cycling connection between Rosanna Station and Heidelberg Station.
We are also asking for the Victorian Government funding to relocate the signalling boxes at the rear of 156 Hawdon Street, Heidelberg on the eastern side of the railway line to accommodate the completion of the Northern Trail along the west side of the railway corridor.
What it will deliver
Our preferred cycling route through busy suburbs is along the rail corridor. To ensure a safe route for cyclists, we want the entire trail between Rosanna and Heidelberg to be built along the rail corridor.
What you can do
To help us deliver this priority, you can write to our Lower House Member of Parliament for this electorate or any of our Upper House Members of Parliament for their commitment to deliver funding for this project.
Overview
We need more than 60 kilometres of new strategic bike paths to transport cyclists to major activity centres and destinations.
The Rosanna to Heidelberg section of the Northern Trail is part of a high priority route identified by the Victorian Government in their Strategic Cycling Corridor Network (2020). The Department of Transport is building a hybrid rail corridor and on-road cycling route on that section.
However, we consider this an interim solution that only partly meets a need for a safe cycling route along the rail corridor between Heidelberg and Rosanna Stations. We are advocating for a safe off-road cycling link within the railway corridor that extends all the way from Watsonia to Ivanhoe.
To achieve this, additional funding will be needed to relocate signal boxes that were installed during rail duplication works.
The Victorian Government has committed to removing the Ruthven Street level crossing in Macleod by 2027. This is the perfect opportunity to complete the northern trail between Macleod and Rosanna.
Removing this level crossing will improve safety, reduce congestion and allow more trains, more often. It will ease traffic on local roads, free up space for the community to enjoy and create more room for pedestrian and cycling connections.