More rail parking on track

MOVES are afoot to ease parking woes at railway stations in Pakenham and Beaconsfield.
The State Government is planning to upgrade car parking at the two centres.
The move will add 130 extra car parks and a bus stop on the northern side of the rail line at Beaconsfield and a further 80 car parks at Pakenham.
The Pakenham works will take place on the south side of the railway line.
Cardinia Shire councillors welcomed the initiatives when they were outlined at their meeting on Monday.
The Gazette in May reported that peak hour crushes were prompting train users to park their vehicles illegally because of the lack of parking spaces.
Commuters had been breaking the law by parking on nature strips, in bus zones and in no standing areas where they face being fined by council parking officers. Traders complained that commuters were taking parking spaces that should be used by shoppers.
Concerned councillors had appealed to Transport Minister Peter Batchelor urging him to immediately address the problems.
Cr Kate Lempriere said the State Government’s plans would be a great help. “This should reduce the need for commuters to park along Railway Avenue and in the commercial area,” she said.
Cr Brett Owen said residents living around the railway station at Beaconsfield were also concerned that commuters were using their streets as a car park.
Cr Owen said it was council’s role to “stand up” for residents.
The car park works are expected to take place in 2007.