Active and public transport connections at Flemington Bridge Station are prime opportunities for place-making and visionary change for Moonee Valley residents
The intersection of Moonee Ponds Creek Trail, Capital City Trail, and Inner Circle Rail Trail is a messy and dangerous bottleneck.
- Accessibility barriers: The steep, narrow ramp creates significant challenges for wheelchair users, people with prams, mobility aids, and the elderly.
- Unsafe for everyone: People walking to and from the train station are forced to contend with people riding bikes up and down the trail.
- Hazardous design: The trail has multiple poorly signed hairpin turns that are dangerous for people riding bikes or walking.
- Confusing and disconnected: To continue on the Moonee Ponds Creek trail, people walking and cycling need to cross the creek via Mount Alexander Road, and then proceed around an unsigned underpass.
Upgrades to this interchange would serve to
- Connect Flemington Housing Estate and Travancore residents to active and sustainable transport networks, public transport, and surrounding neighbourhoods.
- Make Flemington Bridge Railway Station more accessible to people with physical disabilities, the elderly, and those with prams or mobility aids.
- Establish a continuous, enjoyable trail experience for walkers, runners, and cyclists along the creek.
- Resolve long known safety issues that are injuring residents and visitors.
Our call to action
MooneeBUG recognizes the challenges to improving the Flemington Bridge interchange. However, decades of inaction have made improvement a matter of urgency for the safety and connectivity of our community.
We call on Moonee Valley City Council to demonstrate leadership and implement MV2040 action 84, by:
- Immediately forming and funding a dedicated working group to drive this project forward. This group must include representatives from:
- Moonee Valley City Council
- Major stakeholders (VicTrack, Metro Trains, VicRoads, Melbourne Water, City of Melbourne)
- User groups (MooneeBUG, Bicycle Network, Public Transport Users Association)
- Resident groups (Flemington Association, Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek)
The working group’s key objectives:
- Validate and update the 2011 Shared Path Modal Interchange report to reflect current conditions and requirements.
- Build consensus among major stakeholders on the urgent need for change and explore potential solutions.
- Secure joint funding to develop detailed designs, costings, and a robust community consultation plan.
- Advocate for full project funding based on a compelling, community-supported vision.
- Identify and implement immediate, tactical improvements to enhance safety and usability while the long-term plan develops.
Why this matters:
This isn’t simply about cycling infrastructure. It’s about creating a safe, accessible, and connected Moonee Valley. Upgrading the Flemington Bridge interchange will:
- Protect all users of our trails and train station.
- Enhance active transport options for residents.
- Improve access to public transport, supporting a more sustainable community.
- Revitalize the Moonee Ponds Creek as a vibrant public space.
We urge Moonee Valley Council to prioritize this project. The time for studies is over. It’s time for action.
This Call to Action is endorsed by the following organisations
What people are saying
David M,
Local Resident
“I’m an experienced cyclist, but dread using the Flemington Bridge ramp”
Georgina L,
Local Resident
“I came down on the hairpin at this bridge and tore every ligament in my rotator cuff as a pedestrian on their phone clipped my handlebars.”
Julian B,
Local Resident
“it’s incredibly bad for all users and would fail accessibility standards I’m sure.“
‘TP’,
BikeSpot User
“Crashed here about 3 years ago dislocated and fractured elbow. Path u-turn is far too narrow even without pedestrians and is off camber when heading down.“
Adrian,
BikeSpot User
“prone to congestion during peak hour and a mix of riders and pedestrians trying to access the train station on a steep incline is not safe. The area lacks wayfinding which increases the number of people standing in dangerous spots..”
Sallie-Ann B,
Local Resident
“I don’t understand why this ramp survives in the current form – there have been chances to improve that were let pass. It needs doing and I’m past politely waiting.“
‘Logan S’,
Local Resident
“It’s dangerous! West Footscray station has a nice and wide shared path that rises a similar height”
Strategic Planner,
Melbourne Area
“completely unfit for purpose and do not meet modern standards for safety and accessibility, let alone convenience…the existing narrow steep ramps to access both sides of the station are only accessible from Mt Alexander Road and are not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1982”
Over the past decades, the opportunity to improve this interchange has been widely recognised
1992
The Monee Ponds Creek Concept Plan from Melbourne Water and the Moonee Ponds Creek Association recommends a specific project to extend the Moonee Ponds Creek trail to pass under the Mount Alexander Road Bridge (this is now complete).
2004
MVCC Walking and Cycling Strategy 2004 recommends to improve Connections from Mount Alexander Road to the Moonee Ponds Creek and Capital City Trails, and Improve connection to Flemington Bridge Station for pedestrians and cyclists
Early 2010
An audit of shared paths by MVCC identified a number of significant safety issues at Flemington Bridge Railway Station.
December 2010
Bicycle Victoria made a formal request to Moonee Valley City Council to address the tight hairpin bends.
August 2011
Moonee Valley City Council procure and receive a comprehensive report investigating improvement of walking and cycling links at Flemington Bridge Station.
2012
The MVCC Walking and Cycling Strategy 2012 recommends, as its first action, to investigate an improved connections between Flemington Bridge Station, Capital City, and Moonee Ponds Trails, and Trams 59 and 57
“The ramp to platform 2 has two hairpin turns and there is an additional hairpin turn The connections along Mt Alexander Road footpath to the Moonee Ponds Path are unclear. Better walking links would increase personal safety, enhance links between train and trams and increase use of public transport. Safety audit risk rating 12.”
September 2014
A massive upgrade to the area is announced as part of the now scrapped East-West Link, including plans for a ‘cycle spiral’ linking Moonee Ponds Creek Trail, Capital City Trail, Flemington Bridge station and Debney’s Park.
June 2017
The Debney’s Precinct Structure Plan is released by the DHHS and MVCC, which specifically recommends improved pedestrian and cycling connections with Flemington Bridge Station from Racecourse and Mt Alexander Roads, and connection to Capital City Trail.
July 2017
The Western Metropolitan Region Trail Strategic Plan is released, which identifies realignment of the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail at the Mount Alexander Road underpass as a top action to improve the trail.
August 2017
MVCC Make a submission to the Social Housing Renewal Standing Advisory Committee regarding the renewal of Flemington Housing Estate, including extensive calls for improvements to this interchange as part of the housing estate renewal.
2018
MV2040, Moonee Valley’s long-term strategy, identifies an implementation initiative ‘Advocate to improve the amenity and connections to Flemington Bridge Station’ for the 2022-2025 Period.
August 2019
Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Opportunities Plan prepared by City of Melbourne and endorsed by the Future Melbourne Committee recomends upgrading the Flemington Bridge station connections to the Creek.
References
•The Monee Ponds Creek Concept Plan, Melbourne Water and the Moonee Ponds Creek Association (1992)
•Cycling and Walking Strategy 2004, Moonee Valley City Council (2004)
•West Trails – Western Metropolitan Region Trails Strategic Plan, Cities of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham.: (2017)
•“Cyclists on track for sleek new East West Link route”, The Age – Yolanda Redrup (2014)
•Flemington Bridge Railway Station Shared Path Model Interchange Link, Moonee Valley City Council (2011)
•Walking and Cycling Strategy 2012-2022, Moonee Valley City Council (2012)
•Debney’s Precinct Structure Plan, Department of Health and Human Services and the City of Moonee Valley (2017)
•DHHS Flemington Housing Renewal Program Submission, Moonee Valley Council (2017)
•MV2040 Strategy, Moonee Valley City Council (2018)
•Linking People and Spaces Report, Parks Victoria (2002)
•Principal Bicycle Network and Bicycle Priority Routes Fact Sheet, VicRoads (2012)
•What is a Strategic Cycling Corridor?, Victorian Planning Authority (2019)
MooneeBUG 
With non-DDA compliant access this whole station and shared path is perfect for improvement and this project should proceed at pace. Given the need for accessible affordable transport for local residents, council should back this with full support and work with the state government and authorities to make it happen.
Too many times I’ve had near misses here as well as one injury. My new long-tail cargo bike, a true car replacement for the city, doesn’t even fit around the corner at the top without stopping and awkwardly adjusting. Can’t imagine what it’s like for people with more pressing mobility needs. Next to the multi-billion dollar freeway, this is a stark contrast illustrating the outdated priorities.
This ramp is simply not fit for purpose.