How are we planning for the future of these working hubs, when we can't get full bus services returned to us that were removed before. How can we take one step forward when we are two steps back - refer to article from the St Marys - Mount Druitt Star:
Travel nightmare predicted as huge workforce descends on region
08 Aug, 2011 12:00 AM
THE development of vast employment lands around Blacktown will create 50,000 new jobs but questions have been raised about how the army of workers will get there.The Western Sydney Employment Area consumes 2200 hectares of land around the intersection of the M4 and M7 at Eastern Creek.
It has room for 40,000 workers and as businesses open, more and more people make the sprawling site their destination.
Work has started on the Erskine Park Link Road to funnel the workforce on to the M4 and M7 but the government has no plans to increase traffic flows on either of the arterial roads.
The Marsden Park industrial development will start later this year and another 10,000 people are expected to make it their destination.
And the government has fast-tracked 10,000 new homes in Marsden Park.
Work is under way to duplicate the Richmond railway line and significant roads in the north west suburbs.
But public transport advocates say without major upgrades to the narrow roads motorists will face gridlocks.
Many commuters already travelling from suburbs in the north-west to Blacktown train station catch buses along the T-way because they bypass congested roads.
But the government has no plans to extend the T-way into the north-west area or create new bus-only corridors into the Eastern Creek employment lands.
The marketing and information manager at Busways, David Collins, said major investment was needed to prevent a congested nightmare for motorists.
"The major impediment to improving bus services to these locations is the lack of road linkages, which leads to long convoluted routes," he said.
"The poor road network and seemingly haphazard pattern of development has made it impossible to serve some areas sustainably.
Workers in these developments face long walks to access the nearest bus route — the construction of bus-only links would be advantageous."
Mr Collins's views were supported by the president of the Western Sydney Organisation of Councils, Alison McLaren.
It has room for 40,000 workers and as businesses open, more and more people make the sprawling site their destination.
Work has started on the Erskine Park Link Road to funnel the workforce on to the M4 and M7 but the government has no plans to increase traffic flows on either of the arterial roads.
The Marsden Park industrial development will start later this year and another 10,000 people are expected to make it their destination.
And the government has fast-tracked 10,000 new homes in Marsden Park.
Work is under way to duplicate the Richmond railway line and significant roads in the north west suburbs.
But public transport advocates say without major upgrades to the narrow roads motorists will face gridlocks.
Many commuters already travelling from suburbs in the north-west to Blacktown train station catch buses along the T-way because they bypass congested roads.
But the government has no plans to extend the T-way into the north-west area or create new bus-only corridors into the Eastern Creek employment lands.
The marketing and information manager at Busways, David Collins, said major investment was needed to prevent a congested nightmare for motorists.
"The major impediment to improving bus services to these locations is the lack of road linkages, which leads to long convoluted routes," he said.
"The poor road network and seemingly haphazard pattern of development has made it impossible to serve some areas sustainably.
Workers in these developments face long walks to access the nearest bus route — the construction of bus-only links would be advantageous."
Mr Collins's views were supported by the president of the Western Sydney Organisation of Councils, Alison McLaren.
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