New pedestrian bridge to keep Chelsea’s community connected
Council is partnering with the State Government to build a new pedestrian bridge in Chelsea as part of the level crossing removal works, to keep the community connected.
Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley said Council was working with the Level Crossing Removal Project to ensure the upgrades also enhance pedestrian links between the shopping precinct and communities on both sides of the new train line.
“Council has invested $750,000 in the project to deliver a fantastic outcome for the Chelsea community that will see a new 6.8-metre wide bridge with enhanced design features including ramps, new lighting, seating, shading and landscaping,” Cr Oxley said.
Access will also be improved with both steps and DDA compliant accessible ramps on both sides of the pedestrian bridge between Chelsea Road and The Strand.
“We want to make sure communities and businesses on both sides of the rail line feel connected and there is easy access to shops and other community facilities,” said Cr Oxley. “It’s also important to Council that people using the pedestrian bridge feel safe, so we have worked with the LXRP to improve visibility and lighting in the design.”
“The new train station along with the pedestrian bridge is the first step in the much-needed revitalisation of Chelsea’s shopping centre and a major investment in the area’s future.”
The Victorian Government is removing 11 level crossings in Kingston and has partnered with it by contributing funding to obtain some fantastic upgrades for our community and make the most of this once-in-a-generation infrastructure project.
In Cheltenham, works will begin soon on a new community green space linking Cheltenham’s retail precinct with the new train station and Cheltenham Park. The new open space will begin to bring to life a new vision for Cheltenham that the community helped develop during the Cheltenham Structure Plan Review in 2017.
Council also contributed funding to the recently re-opened Mentone train station to extend decking over the rail trench and expand the historic Mentone Station Gardens to provide additional public open space.
“As community life returns post the Covid-19 pandemic our investments in Chelsea, Cheltenham and Mentone are critical new spaces in strengthening local community connections around our key transport hub,” said Cr Oxley.
