Major Tramline Works on Glenferrie Road
Updated: Jun 16, 2022
Starting from 9pm, Sunday 22 May, residents and business along Glenferrie Road between Barkers and Riversdale Roads can expect major disruptions, as replacement of the 56 year-old tram tracks commences.
Yarra Trams explained that during the first stage ‘early works’ there will be “...nightly single lane closures along Glenferrie Road at various locations from 29 May to 24 June, with the night works enabling a reduction in full-time occupation.” From 29 May to 1 June, the intersection with Burwood Road will be closed during night works and from 1 to 5 June, the intersection with Barkers Road will be closed for night works.
The ‘major works’ will take place around the clock from 9pm, Friday 24 June until 5am, Monday 11 July, during the school holidays. The entire Yarra Trams work zone along Glenferrie Road between Barkers and Riversdale Roads, approximately 1.5km, will be fenced off kerb to kerb, making Glenferrie Hawthorn’s shopping district inaccessible to all vehicles.
Detours for traffic will be setup by Yarra Trams and route 16 tram will experience service changes. The track replacement works are expected to generate minor to extremely high noise levels over this period, as excavation and steel cutting will occur. Interruptions to normal trading and access to Glenferrie Road will be significant. Vehicle inaccessibility and unavailability of on-street seating in front of cafes and restaurants, will restrict customer numbers.
Boroondara council confirmed that notification of the track works was received from Yarra Trams on 22 April [2022]. Council stated that they, “requested that Yarra Trams ensure all parties concerned be advised of what’s to come.” The Glenferrie Times found that several local businesses either had very little information provided to them or were completely unaware of the disruption. Sam and Dee at El Churro Cafe (710 Glenferrie Road), said they had received “very little warning” and “few details on how long the disruptions would last”. They stated, “we have had to cancel functions as a result of these works. It was only once we emailed the council that any information was provided”.
Another trader, Alec of Mr Chan’s Dumplings (752 Glenferrie Road), received no notification regarding the times and dates work would commence.The works have forced some businesses to find new ways to accommodate customers. Osteria 20 (818 Glenferrie Road) employee, Sam explained that the restaurant has bookings until September and they were “negotiating with the complex next door to potentially use their carpark” during off-peak hours. He added, “we have large group bookings coming up, and having no parking space is a big problem”. The Glenferrie Times reached out to Yarra Trams for comment. Chief Operations Officer, Carla Purcell stated, “we work hard to limit the disruption large-scale occupations can cause and have been actively engaging with local residents and businesses to discuss ways that we can limit any impacts of the project on the local community”.
Luke at Road Diner (817 Glenferrie Road) near Barkers Road rebutted Yarra Trams claim of active engagement and stated, “there has been no communication about the proposed works..., most of the people in this area have no idea about any of the works”. He added, “what’s going to be done to help businesses get through this tough time? Do we close?”Yarra Trams intend to run campaigns encouraging residents to ‘shop local’ and support local traders through targeted advertising and signage. Delivery drivers will still have access to side streets and Yarra Trams will work with council on rubbish collection, and notify locals of any changes. There will be no vehicular access to Glenferrie Road itself when the works are being conducted.
Yarra Trams assures traders, “During the major works phase, there may be temporary footpath closures with local detours in place, but these are not expected to be in the vicinity of local businesses. Pedestrian crossings will be in place along the work site so people can cross safely”.
