Underpass underdone

By Bridget Cook
THE City of Casey is calling on the State Government to incorporate a road underpass at the railway line at Aylmer Road, Lynbrook.
And as construction starts on the highly-anticipated Lynbrook Railway Station, City of Casey Mayor Shar Balmes said the perfect timing for the construction would be now.
Cr Balmes said it made sense to build it now, whilst the station was being constructed to minimise costs and disruption to the rail system.
“The State Government’s own research shows that a road underpass can and should be built at the non-existent Aylmer Road rail crossing,” she said.
Cr Balmes said it was needed for a number of reasons.
“Currently, Lynbrook and Lyndhurst communities are right next to each other but remain divided by the railway line,” she said.
“Such a road underpass would also facilitate the extension of local bus services from Hampton Park through Lynbrook and Lyndhurst. This is not currently possible due to the lack of suitable road connections, and will impede bus services to the new station.”
Cr Balmes said a level crossing was originally planned at Aylmer Road, however the previous State Government changed the rules and required grade separation, but was not prepared to pay the extra cost involved.
“Council is still prepared to fund a level crossing at the location, if allowed by the State Government, or even to contribute the costs equivalent to a level crossing to a State Government funded road underpass,” she said.
The State Government estimates indicate that 80,000 people will live within five kilometres of the Lynbrook station by 2021.
Cr Balmes said the proposed road underpass would improve passive surveillance and public safety around the new station by increasing foot traffic and levels of activity in the area.
She said it would also improve access to each of the proposed car parks, located either side of the railway line.
As it stands, a commuter who finds one car park full would have to drive about 10 kilometres to find a spot in the other.
The State Government did not respond to calls from the News by the time we went to print.