Melbourne’s most dangerous and congested level crossings cause chaos on local roads every morning.

Data from the first 17 level crossings to be removed by the Andrews Labor Government reveals that motorists are stuck at boom gates for a combined 16 hours every day in the morning peak period.

On the Cranbourne-Pakenham line, boom gates are down for more than an hour on average between 7:00am and 9:00am.

At Clayton Road next to the Monash Medical Centre, cars and ambulances are held up at the level crossing for up to 82 minutes, while at Koornang Road the boom gates are down for up to 87 minutes each morning.

The 2015-16 Victorian Budget provides $2.4 billion to kick-start the removal of 50 of Victoria’s most dangerous and congested level crossings and confirmed the first 17 to go.

Boom gate data for these 17 sites has revealed:

• Boom gates at the nine level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong are down for a combined 11 hours – nearly half a day – in the morning peak
• Boom gates at the three level crossings on the Frankston line (North Rd, Centre Rd, McKinnon Rd) are down for a combined two hours every morning
• Boom gates at the two level crossings on the Belgrave/Lilydale line (Blackburn Rd and Heatherdale Rd) are down for a combined two hours every morning.
• Boom gates at the two level crossings on the Sunbury line (Main Rd and Furlong Rd) are down for a combined 100 minutes every morning

Quotes attributable to Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews

“This data shows the frustration, delay and distress these level crossings create every morning.”

“On the Dandenong corridor boom gates are down for up to 87 minutes every morning. That’s why we’re removing every level crossing between Dandenong and Caulfield.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan

“These congested death traps put pressure on local roads and stop us running more trains – they need to go.”

“Whether you travel by car, bus or train, removing our worst level crossings will get you to work and back home safer and sooner.”

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