By Marcus Uhe
Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) teams have begun to demolish houses on Camms Road as part of works to remove the level crossing.
Eighteen parcels of land were acquired, including 17 residential properties and one commercial property, in order to build a road bridge over the train line.
Kellie Banks is one resident whose former home of 15 years was demolished on Friday 22 July.
Ms Banks purchased the four-bedroom, two-bathroom property in 2006 and had renovations completed on the property.
Ms Banks and her sons, 11-year-old Ryder and eight-year-old Cruz, travelled from their new home in Drouin to Cranbourne to observe the aftermath of the demolition.
Despite knowing it was coming, the reality of the bare block of land was a difficult sight to behold.
“It was quite upsetting for them to see the house they grew up in on the ground,” Ms Banks said.
“Cruz didn’t want to get in the car and Ryder just wanted to be cuddled.
“It was definitely a whole heap of emotions for all of us.”
Land acquisition was a necessary last resort for the project team, who said other designs would have required more properties to be acquired.
“We’ve worked hard to minimise land acquisition and we will continue to work closely with residents impacted by these vital works,” LXRP program director Andrew Pepplinkhouse said.
The Cranbourne line is expected to be level crossing free by 2025, with the Camms Road project on track for completion in 2024.
