Car park push for station

By Rebecca Fraser
CASEY Council will step up its push for more parking at Hallam train station and the urgent need for a pedestrian crossing for local commuters.
At last week’s meeting council moved that officers report to the November council meeting on timelines for installation of pedestrian crossing at Hallam train station and the completion of a sealed footpath from Princes Highway along Hallam South Road to Hallam train station.
The council will also hold discussions with the Department of Infrastructure soon to discuss proposals to provide additional car parking at railway stations within Casey and in particular Hallam and Cranbourne stations.
The station currently has 400 car spaces over two car parks but both are at full capacity on working days.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said Hallam was fast becoming a premium station as many residents from the Hampton Park area used the station.
“The station is close to Hampton Park and many residents use this station,” Cr Smith said.
“Safer and more secure parking is definitely needed.
“This station is not far away from becoming a premium station and may end up being staffed full time and this will add more security but we still need more car spaces,” he said.
Casey mayor Neil Lucas said public transport in Casey needed to improve to entice more people to commute by train.
“The Government is trying to encourage more people onto trains and public transport but they need to make it more accessible.
“We want to get more people onto trains and off the roads.
“But the Government must provide easy, safe, accessible and comfortable transport and respond to the needs of the travelling public along the Cranbourne and Pakenham line,” he said.
Myuna Ward councillor Brian Oates said there were a number of problems at the station that need urgent attention.
“We have been waiting for a pedestrian crossing for some time.
“It is a terrible job trying to cross that road over to the bus shelters on the other side,” he said.
“It is also one of the more violent stations there was a murder in 1997 and only about six months ago a young lad was bowled over and had his shoes and phone stolen.
“There are also no complete footpaths.
“You cannot encourage people on to transport if there is nowhere to park their cars or if they do not feel safe to park their cars there,” he said.