Stations across the Inner West set for accessibility upgrades after ‘tireless effort’ from locals

By SEJA AL ZAIDI

Improved accessibility measures have been introduced at various train stations in the Inner West as part of a spate of new upgrades in the area.

Major works have taken place at Petersham, Erskineville and St Peters train stations following calls from residents for enhanced accessibility, with a variety of changes made to address the concerns that community members have raised during “years of campaigning”. 

“People are thrilled that everyone will now be able to use the stations, no matter what their mobility challenges are,” State Member for Newtown Jenny Leong said.

“The changes to accessibility are a credit to the tireless effort of the community writing letters, gathering signatures on petitions and holding actions.”

The Petersham station upgrades include improved amenities such as new male and female ambulant toilets, a new family accessible toilet, and CCTV video surveillance, as well as a new access ramp from the station entrance to the footbridge, and two new lifts connecting the existing footbridge to the Terminus Street entrance and the station platform.

Station upgrades at Erskineville are still underway and include improved facilities and a new pedestrian crossing and footbridge at Bridge Street, with both a lift and stairs to connect the footbridge to the platforms.

St Peters station is also undergoing upgrades, with two new lifts, two kiss and ride spaces, an accessible parking space and two canopies to be introduced.

Station upgrades have been welcomed by local residents, Inner West councillor Liz Atkins said. 

“Residents in the Damun-Stanmore Ward have given me positive feedback about the upgrades at Petersham. They are looking forward to the upgrades at Stanmore Station which Transport for NSW are currently consulting on.”

Stanmore Station, which currently does not meet the required standards for the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002, is in the planning stage, with concerns being raised about the potential destruction of local flora and fauna as part of the designed upgrades. 

Cr Atkins confirmed that, along with Ms Leong, she has written to Transport Minister David Elliott about the potential removal of a “significant tree” as part of the station upgrades.

In next week’s council meeting agenda, Cr Atkins has requested that council write to Mr Elliott to revise the current station upgrade designs to ensure the retention of a 10-metre high Lilly Pilly tree near the station, and if that isn’t possible, commit to “new large sapling plantings as replacements”.

Moving forward

A review of the provided community feedback to Transport of NSW is currently underway following the proposal for changes at Stanmore station earlier this year.