By Callan Date
FURIOUS commuters say lives are being put at risk because overcrowded train station parking is spilling out onto surrounding streets.
They say track upgrade works being carried out for the Fast Rail project between Warragul and Pakenham are causing dangerous overcrowding.
Commuters who cannot use stations where the works are being carried out are having to use Pakenham and Beaconsfield stations.
The resulting peak hour crush is forcing train users to park their vehicles illegally because of the lack of parking spaces.
They are 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.
And local traders are complaining that commuters are taking parking spaces that should be used by shoppers.
Concerned councillors have appealed to Transport Minister Peter Bachelor urging him to address the problem immediately.
The Gazette visited Pakenham station during Monday’s peak hour and saw at least 10 cars parked illegally while several frustrated train users complained about the situation.
Helen Carey voiced the thoughts of many commuters who fear for their safety when using the station.
“You can see with all the buses in the car park as well as the illegally parked cars and other traffic that it is incredibly dangerous for pedestrians,” Ms Carey said.
Lyn O’Brien of Pakenham said she has to arrive very early to find a parking space.
“I normally get here around 6.30am so I don’t have many problems but the few times I have been late it’s very hard to find a park,” Ms O’Brien said.
Pakenham resident Glenn King walks home from the station every night and while he doesn’t have to find a car park he said he is deeply concerned about the danger when walking through the parking area.
“The parking seems to be getting worse every day and the buses that are flying around the car park will end up hitting someone if something isn’t done soon,” he said.
Central Ward councillor Brett Owen says the current situation is unacceptable and at last week’s Cardinia council meeting he moved a motion for the council to write to Mr Batchelor to intervene.
“We are writing the letter to the Transport Minister to highlight the current car parking problem and urge his department to do something about the issue,” Mr Owen said.
“We are hearing a constant message encouraging everyone to use public transport whenever possible but when there is not enough parking available it makes it very hard.”
He said he has also had complaints about the impact the lack of parking space was having on businesses near the train stations.
“The traders around Main Street, Pakenham, and Wood Street in Beaconsfield are particularly concerned that people are using car spots that are for meant for their customers.
“This poses a major problem because they are generally occupying these car parks for up to eight hours a day while they are at work,” Mr Owen said.
Spokeswoman for Mr Batchelor, Sofia Dedes, said the State Government understood the situation and the need to extend the parking facilities was addressed in the recently announced Transport and Livability statement.
“Last week the Government committed $90 million to a 10year program of extending park and ride locations across Melbourne and the extra parking facilities at both Pakenham and Beaconsfield stations will be considered under this program,” Ms Dedes said.
Cardinia Shire governance and communications manager Doug Evans said the council was aware of the parking problem but was continuing to issue fines to ensure the safety of all users of the area.
“It is a major safety concern when people are parking illegally in and around the train stations and it makes it hard for all involved including bus drivers, pedestrians and other motorists driving through the station area,” Mr Evans said.
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