Small businesses ‘devastated’ by level crossing removal ‘disaster’ in Melbourne’s east

A Surrey Hills business owner says poor management of level crossing removal and station works in the area has had a “devastating” impact on businesses.

Mont Albert and Surrey Hills stations are being demolished to make way for one super-station.

Mont Albert and Surrey Hills Traders spokesperson and owner of Quality Bicycle Repairs in Surrey Hills, Simon Jamison, says 85 per cent of businesses in the impacted area have seen a drop in revenue of about 35 per cent as a result of the works.

“Personally, I’m actually in favour of it,” Mr Jamison told Dee Dee.

“But the management of it has just been a disaster. It was difficult for us because the level rail line bisects the shopping strip in Union Road and we’ve had two shutdowns already.

“The community team are very, very difficult to deal with — they disregard our concerns.

“We’ve been trying to get them just to clean the footpath up out the front after substantial works out in Union Road. We’ve been talking about it for six weeks! It’s cleaned itself now.”

Press PLAY below to hear why traders are fuming

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