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No timeline for new train line

The NSW Government recently announced the start of planning for the second Sydney Metro Rail line, called the West Metro. The train line, proposed to start at Central, will run through stations at Broadway-Sydney University, Camperdown, Leichhardt, Five Dock and on to Westmead reports Naomi Crain in the South Sydney Herald of August 2009.

Minister for Transport, David Campbell, announced the proposed stations on June 30, adding that the West Metro will “deliver an important alternative transport option on the city’s busiest transport corridor”.

The proposal is the second leg of the government’s long term program of transport development for Sydney, the first stage of which is the CBD Metro, which runs from Central Station to Rozelle, and is due to be completed by the end of 2015.

The Metro system will be modelled on the metro systems of other international cities such as those in London, Paris, Hong Kong and New York City. These systems are underground and run trains every two to three minutes, making timetables unnecessary. Trains are single storey and designed to transport large numbers of people quickly and easily.

The Metro system is jointly funded by the NSW and Australian Governments, with funding currently approved to complete detailed planning and pre-construction work. “Sydney Metro will soon lodge the Project Application and Preliminary Environmental Assessment with the Department of Planning” for the West Metro line, a spokesperson for Sydney Metro said.

Students enrolled in courses at Sydney University are particularly likely to appreciate the new West Metro. A spokesperson for the University said: “The University of Sydney is pleased with the announcement that stations along the West Metro may be positioned close to the University. They will provide improved access for thousands of students, staff and visitors to the University Campuses.”

The downside of developments such as this includes the loss of existing buildings to the construction of stations and other infrastructure. This may include homes and businesses in the Glebe/Broadway area. Details of proposed locations will be contained in the Preliminary Environmental Assessment.

As yet there is no proposed timeline for commencement of construction, or completion, of the West Metro.

Sydney Metro conducted public open days throughout Sydney in June and July, but public consultation will continue and information and contact details are available at the Sydney Metro website www.sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au .

Source: South Sydney Herald August 2009 www.southsydneyherald.com.au