West Metro is commendable but stops one station too short
The Rees Government’s proposed West Metro to Westmead is a very welcome initiative for our area but stops one station too short to truly alleviate infrastructure and capacity issues on the transport system locally, Holroyd Liberal Councillor Ross Grove said today.
“By stopping the West Metro at Westmead, we risk having commuters from further out west clogging up Westmead’s already gridlocked road system so they can park and commute to the city,” Clr Grove said.
“With a growing medical precinct, new schools being built and increased population densities we wouldn’t be doing the right thing if we made Westmead the station where even more cars came in search of non-existent commuter parking.
“I’d like to see the state government take the route further out by just one stop – that way you won’t get more people jamming the roads to Westmead in the peak hour.
“There are a number of locations where for just a few more bucks you could create a better Metro network and a bigger economic dividend for the local area.
“Wentworthville Station is the next logical step, and the commerce in Wenty has been pretty poor in recent years and a metro station could give the local area there a much needed boost.
“A terminus Ringrose Park would work too and potentially justify new jobs and industry on the block of streets owned by Wentworthville Leagues. I can imagine it would make a great spot for commuter parking, big box retail outlets etcetera because of the available land and proximity to major roads.
“If we can solve this congestion issue at Westmead then we’ve got a great plan and I commend the Rees Government on their effort in this area.
“Governments have been looking at clip-ons and extensions to the existing network for too long. ‘Extensions’ only add greater pressures on a network already at capacity. The Metro avoids this by creating a continuous new route into the city which is grade separated from the rest of the CityRail network.
“It means that if there are problems on one network it won’t stuff up the entire system like it currently does.
“For the first time since he took office we are seeing good policy from Nathan Rees and I call on him to keep up that good work by taking the tracks one station further.”
–ENDS–
MEDIA CONTACT: Ross Grove on 0412897130
