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Thursday, 28 June, 2018
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‘Worst’ station By Kyra Gillespie
With over 20,000 additional people predicted to settle in Pakenham with the development of Parklea’s Pakenham East estate - and no railway station to accommodate the population, it begs the question of whether Pakenham Station will be able to cope with such an influx in its current state. Despite public transport being outside their jurisdiction, the council say they are lob-
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“Council continues to advocate to the Victorian Government for improved public transport for our community, however this needs to be complemented by infrastructure to support this,” Council’s General Manager of Planning and Development Andrew Paxton said.
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bying for the station’s revival on behalf of the municipality.
Picture: KYRA GILLESPIE “We share the community’s concerns that already congested roads will be further impacted by increased frequency of trains at key crossings. “Council is advocating for grade separations to eliminate level crossings at these key junctions.” The Public Transport Minister has been contacted by Star News for comment.
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Bass MP Brian Paynter is calling for an upgrade of Pakenham Station. 182329
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Pakenham Railway Station has been labelled the “worst” premium station in Victoria by Bass MP Brian Paynter, who is calling for upgrades and the removal of level crossings locally. “This station hasn’t changed since I caught the train back in the 1970s,” Mr Paynter said. “I want to challenge the Transport Minister to show me a worse premium station in Victoria, because I don’t think there is one. “It’s by far the worst in the state.” Opening in 1877, Pakenham Station didn’t go on to become a premium station until 1997. A majority of the pebble stone structure as it currently stands hasn’t been altered since the mid ‘70s. In terms of station standards, a premium station is a high standard station that has better staffing and facilities than standard stations - such as staff from the first to last train, amenities and bicycle cages. While the station has these facilities, the MP says they are ageing and need to be modernised. “It’s an old station: the toilets are old, the indoor area is too small and there’s hardly any shelter for commuters in the winter. “With the new depot being built in Pakenham’s east there are going to be even more trains clogging up the level crossings. “I want to see the removal of these level crossings and an upgrade of the station as a whole. It’s just not good enough.” The Stabling Yards in Pakenham’s east will be used to maintain and store trains while the actual construction of the trains will occur elsewhere.
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