Elsie Lange
As we rapidly approach the closure of Gap Road and Station Street for four months from May 30, Sunbury residents can be assured emergency services will be available on either side of the rail line.
The level crossing removal at Gap Road is set to eliminate heavy congestion at the boom gates, and to make sure the project is delivered safely, Rail Projects Victoria (RPV) is supporting Ambulance Victoria (AV) and Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) to set up satellite services.
Funded by RPV, SES Sunbury will set up services at the Country Fire Authority (CFA) on the east side of the rail line, complementing the existing SES Sunbury headquarters in the west.
RPV said this includes a dedicated first-responder vehicle equipped with life-saving equipment.
SES Sunbury Unit Section Leader Jarrod Bell said the service was working collaboratively with emergency services agencies.
“As well as [with] transport networks and community members to ensure potential impacts are addressed for the Sunbury and surrounds service area,” Mr Bell said.
The project is also supporting AV to be set up on the west side of the rail line at SES Sunbury during busy hours throughout the day, to supplement AV services on the east side.
According to RPV, despite Victoria Police’s depot being located on the east side of the rail line, operations will not be significantly impacted by the works as officers are usually out on patrol.
CFA already has a presence on either side of town, and Fire Rescue Victoria has a depot on the west side.
Sunbury MP Josh Bull said the project was doing what it could to keep the community safe while the crossing is removed.
“Ensuring emergency services can quickly respond to incidents on both sides of the rail line, while we get on with removing Sunbury’s worst bottleneck,” Mr Bull said.
“Removing this crossing will make it faster and easier for first responders to keep people safe and save lives.”
