Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, has called for an immediate update on the progress of the Point Clare railway station upgrade, with the removal last week of temporary ramps causing concern for residents.
Tesch said the removal of the ramps, with the planned accessible lifts not to be operational until later this year, had caused “outrage” throughout the community which is still waiting for the State Government to deliver on its promise of greater accessibility and ease of use.
She said residents were now forced to either take a steep set of stairs or travel on narrow footpaths along Brisbane Water Dr to access the other side of the station.
She said a promise of access support available via a phone number was unsatisfactory, with many not having time to wait for an accessible taxi.
“Locals were promised an upgrade aimed at improving accessibility, including access ramps around the lifts,” Tesch said.
“The strong community response shows that many appreciate and need a step-free public transport system so that everyone with trolley-bag wheels, pram wheels, bicycle wheels, mobility scooters and wheelchair wheels can safely access stations.
“There has been no date provided to advise when the construction will be finished or when the station will become easily accessible.”
Tesch said the impact on local businesses has also been significant due to the removal of the ramps and vague timelines for the construction’s completion.
“This removal of the ramps is forcing the most vulnerable in our community to face even further barriers to use public transport,” she said.
“I saw one poor woman forced onto the road to access the other side of the station as her mobility scooter would not allow her to use the stairs and narrow footpath surrounding the station.
“We need conscious planning of our public infrastructure that is welcoming and useable for all.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said accessibility would be improved with the installation of two new lifts connecting each platform to the commuter car parks, three new accessible parking spaces and an accessible toilet.
“The upgrade at the station is being delivered as part of the Transport Access Program, a NSW Government initiative to provide a better experience for public transport customers by delivering accessible, modern, secure and integrated transport infrastructure across the state,” he said.
“A new ramp will be provided from the new accessible parking space in the Kurrawa Ave Commuter Car Park to connect to the new lift.”
Crouch said due to unforeseen changes to the staging of the project, the underpass stairs are now open while the new accessible lifts will not be open until later this year.
Customers with a disability, limited mobility, luggage or prams can call 1800 775 465 at any time to arrange access from one side of the station to the other.
This service will be in place until the new accessible lifts are open and will provide either taxi vouchers or a traffic controller to meet the person at the stairs to assist them to negotiate access.
Onsite project workers and traffic controllers have also been briefed to assist those customers who need help with moving from one side of the rail corridor to the other during the day.
Terry Collins
The underpass at Point Clare Station was not only for train travellers but the residents gaining easy access under the rail to the shops ,chemist and doctor plus buses. An easy way to get to the other side . Not now due to the number of steps making restrictions to the elderly , wheelchairs , mobility scooters , prams and bikes etc. Even when lifts are finished it will be a trauma for many just to gain access to the amenities on the other side of the railway .
This shows a complete lack of foresight or caring by State Parliament .
I came upon a distressed 82 year old frail woman with a shopping trolly last week in distress at what has hapened to the easy access which is a disgrace , an utter didsgrace .
Thank goodness we have caring hard working polititions like Ms Tesch who care about the residents visitors of our community .