By ALESHA CAPONE
A WESTERN suburbs MP has called on the State Government to improve the “dangerous state” of car parking facilities at Watergardens train station.
The Opposition’s Cesar Melhem raised the problem in parliament recently, calling for the attention of the Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder.
“The action I seek is for the minister to investigate the dangerous state of the car parking facilities at Watergardens train station and for the facilities to be improved in both quality and quantity,” Mr Melhem said.
“Upon this matter being brought to my attention, I was shocked to see the state of the existing car parking facilities.
“Because of the extreme lack of capacity of the car park that forms part of Watergardens station, daily commuters are having to park in a nearby gravel car park.”
Mr Melhem said the parking bays at the station were unmarked, covered in loose gravel and often reduced to mud.
“Worst of all, however, is that more often than not, the car park is so congested that the entry and exit is reduced to barely one car width,” he said.
“At its worst, the way in and out is completely blocked by cars.
“In correspondence on the matter, Metro Trains Melbourne has made it obvious to me that it is not interested in the issue.
“It said that under the partnership between itself and Public Transport Victoria (PTV), any upgrades or improvements to the network infrastructure fall under the jurisdiction of PTV.
“It is clear that this is part of a greater issue – that is, the complete neglect of public transport infrastructure by this slash-and-burn government.”
Mr Melhem said many Caroline Springs residents used Watergardens train station because they had no other option.
Star contacted a representative of Mr Mulder, Metro and PTV, but did not receive an official response before deadline.
