Missed Opportunity if Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is Not Extended to Lidcombe Station: Greens
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Cate Faehrmann is calling on the Government to extend Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail project an additional 3km from Carter St to Lidcombe Station to ease more congestion in Western Sydney.
In April, a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into public transport needs in Western Sydney, chaired by Ms Faehrmann, recommended that the Government “urgently investigate extending stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail Project so that the line no longer terminates at the Carter Street precinct but continues from there to terminate at Lidcombe railway station.”
“We wholeheartedly support the Parramatta Light Rail project but not extending the light rail all the way to Lidcombe station is a huge missed opportunity to bust congestion in this rapidly growing area of Sydney,” Cate Faehrmann said.
“The Greens support calls by the community for the Government to extend Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail Project so that the line no longer terminates at the Carter Street precinct but continues to Lidcombe station.
“Evidence received during the inquiry from Cumberland City Council was that the light rail needs to be able to support the immense planned growth in the area with the population jumping from 236,000 to 300,000 by 2036. Everything that can be done to ease congestion must be done, or else this population increase will only further add to the road congestion being experienced at the Lidcombe Interchange.
“Carter Street precinct is not closely linked to an interchange or junction. It is somewhat of a random endpoint with less connection to employment or retail spaces, or other public transport options for locals and visitors, than Lidcombe station.
“With the building of Stage 2 of Parramatta Light Rail, every opportunity must be taken to ease congestion and link people to their places of work, education, shopping and leisure.
“For just an additional 3km of rail line, significantly greater benefits would be realized for many more people than the current route. I urge the Government to immediately investigate this extension for the people of south west Sydney,” said Ms Faehrmann.