Unlocking potential of Ferguson Street Crossing Precinct

Ferguson Street level crossing removal project

Council is inviting community feedback on its draft Ferguson Street Level Crossing Removal Precinct Plan, which seeks to address the known safety concerns and improve public space opportunities surrounding the North Williamstown Train Station.

Once Council’s Precinct Plan is updated to reflect community feedback, Council will advocate to the Victorian Government for funding and partnership support to undertake the proposed precinct upgrades, which would complement the Level Crossing Removal Project’s (LXRP) Ferguson Street project. State government funding and consideration for the Ferguson Street Precinct Upgrade is one of Council’s Advocacy Priorities for 2020.

Long-standing concerns about community safety – including vehicular, cyclist, and pedestrian – and land-use in the precinct have informed Council’s draft Plan, which features an integrated multimodal transport hub, enhanced open space offerings and improved connectivity for the community of Williamstown and beyond.

The plan has been driven by three key principles – better spaces and places, connecting the community, and enhancing character and amenity. It is designed to maximise the precinct’s appeal and functionality on land that abuts the LXRP project, therefore it complements and supports any variation of the final LXRP design (ie rail over road or rail under road), which is yet to be confirmed by the LXRP.

Council has developed the plan with reference to its Grade Separation Principles, the LXRP’s proposed design guidelines for the project, and the Community Interest Group input, which was acknowledged by Council on 10 September 2019.

Features of the plan include: an efficient multimodal hub hosting vehicle, bus, train, cycling and pedestrian traffic; signalised intersections (two) near the station, with the current roundabouts removed; heritage train station upgrade and repurpose; open space/community plaza with seating located to the east and west of the station; pedestrian and cyclist linking pathways; cycling and end of trip facilities; and more.

The precinct is defined by the North Williamstown Train Station, the two intersection roundabouts, and immediately surrounding areas of Kororoit Creek Road, Champion Road, Victoria Street, Railway Place, Ferguson Street, Station Road and Power Street. The Ferguson Street level crossing is used by about 25,000 vehicles and more than 110 passenger trains, with about 1,350 passengers travelling through each weekday.

To view the full details of the draft Ferguson Street Level Crossing Removal Precinct Plan and to have your say, visit https://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

/Public Release. View in full here.