By ALESHA CAPONE
BUSINESSES in City Place have slammed a decision to permanently shut the Sunshine train station underpass, as they experience a drop in patronage due to decreased access to the shopping area.
A worried resident, Nicholas, said the Regional Rail Link Authority (RRLA) shut the underpass on 2 January.
Nicholas said elderly and disabled pedestrians were now forced to struggle up the railway station’s steep staircases or navigate ramps which are “much longer” than the underpass.
Nicholas said it made no sense to close the underpass before the station’s new lifts began operating in April.
Last week, Star spoke to City Place traders, who said the underpass closure had impacted significantly upon them.
One business owner estimated she has experienced a 70 per cent downturn in customers since the subway shut.
“It feels like we are going to have another Nicholson St here,” she said.
Late last year, traders in Footscray’s Nicholson St reported a large drop in business after RRLA works closed a bridge and forced pedestrians to detour.
Another City Place trader said the Sunshine underpass closure has had a “big impact” on his business and the RRLA did not consult on the issue.
“The underpass provided more of a direct link before, but now the new train station is like a new wall,” a third trader said.
One shop owner, who has been in operation for more than 40 years said, since the underpass closed business had become “the worst it has ever been”.
The business owner has also been angered by a plan to install an electrical substation, to increase the power supply to trains, in the laneway behind Pap’s Market.
The Public Transport Victoria (PTV) project will see nine parking spots permanently closed.
“It would be nice if they would put it in a practical position, instead of putting it in a prime car-parking area,” the business owners said.
A PTV spokesperson said the substation would be located on vacant rail land used for commuter parking, although the spot is not a designated car park, which would not require a planning permit.
“PTV is, however, liaising with Brimbank City Council to ensure adequate access is provided for both local businesses and train station users during construction,” the spokesperson said.
