Chelsea railway station is a commuter railway station on the Frankston line, which is part of the Melbourne railway network. It serves the south-eastern suburb of Chelsea, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Chelsea station is a ground level unstaffed station, featuring two side platforms. It opened on 4 February 1907, with the current station provided in 2021.[4]
History
Chelsea station opened on 4 February 1907[4] and, like the suburb itself, was named after Chelsea in London, England.[5][6] The name was suggested by local farmer Bertha Black, whose mother was originally from Chelsea.[5][6]
In 1984, the overhead wire for a siding at the station was removed and, in 1987, the siding was abolished.[4]
In 2003, the control panel was permanently switched out.[9] In 2004, a crossover that was located at the Frankston end of the station was abolished.[10]
On 4 May 2010, as part of the 2010/2011 State Budget, $83.7 million was allocated to upgrade Chelsea to a premium station, along with nineteen others.[11][12] However, in March 2011, this was scrapped by the Baillieu Government.[13]
On 9 December 2019, the Level Crossing Removal Project released designs for the removal of the Chelsea Road level crossing and the rebuilding of the station,[14] with contracts for the removal of the level crossing signed two days later, on 11 December.[15] In 2020, construction started and, on 25 July 2021, the station was closed for demolition.[16] On 22 November of that year, the rebuilt station opened to passengers, along with nearby Edithvale and Bonbeach.[17][18] The line was rebuilt below in a trench, with the level crossing permanently closed to road vehicles, and nearby Thames Promenade extended to the Nepean Highway.[19]
