Unanderra train station will get an upgrade, according to the NSW government.
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But the question is when that upgrade will take place.
In response to questions put to the Mercury, government department Transport for NSW emphatically said the station is in line for something better.
“Customers can be assured that an accessibility upgrade will be delivered at Unanderra station,” a Transport for NSW spokeswoman said.
This is the clearest indication that the long-awaited upgrade is on the cards – and is only a matter of time.
... an accessibility upgrade will be delivered at Unanderra station.
- Transport for NSW spokeswoman
While the statement did not specifically address lift access, they can form part of an accessibility upgrade.
Also, documents delivered to the Mercury about the rankings of stations on the list for upgrades include a reference to the “minimum” scope of the project as being a “three lift platform extension”.
Additionally, a level crossing at Unanderra is unlikely given the extra set of tracks on the city side of the station that is used for parking trains.
Any train parked there would block a level crossing.
No time frame for the start of construction has been given but Transport for NSW officials have previously told members of the Unanderra Access Group that all upgrades have to be completed by 2022.
The 2022 target is set down in federal legislation that states all public transport needs to be compliant by 2022 – with the exception of trains which have until 2032.
Transport for NSW has previously stated that as of August 2016, 154 out of 307 stations on the Sydney Trains and Intercity networks were wheelchair accessible.
The spokeswoman also said “concept plans” for an upgrade of Unanderra station are being drawn up.
This was common practice to help understand the scope of a project.
It was during this work that the location of underground services was discovered, resulting in another easy access upgrade moving ahead of Unanderra.
The location of underground utilities caused project delays back in 2010.
The spokeswoman did not respond to questions as to why Transport for NSW suddenly became aware of the presence of those utilities that had been discovered almost seven years ago.
