THE community campaign for a lift at Arncliffe railway station has stepped up a notch, with Rockdale MP John Flowers throwing his support behind the push.
Mr Flowers joined members of Rockdale Residents Unite group and St George-Sutherland District of the Sydney Alliance outside the station recently to talk to commuters about the need for a lift.
"With an ageing population, young mothers with strollers and young men and women with sports injuries there are very good reasons to construct a lift at Arncliffe station," Mr Flowers said.
Sydney Alliance's Kate Fitzgerald said the lack of a lift prevented elderly commuters and those with disabilities from accessing public transport.
‘‘We have heard countless stories from the Arncliffe community about the disadvantage many elderly residents, families with prams and people with disabilities or limited mobility endure as they struggle with the three flights of stairs,’’ Ms Fitzgerald said.
She said she knew of one elderly resident who simply couldn’t use the station because weakness in his left leg prevented him from climbing the stairs.
Rockdale Residents Unite spokesman Bernie Sharah said more people were getting behind the lift campaign.
‘‘The word is really getting out there that there is a real need for this lift,’’ Mr Sharah said.
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian told the Leader that while she appreciated the community interest in the lift there was only so much the government could do.
‘‘... After years of under-investment by the former government in transport, this government has so much catching up to do and we are working as quickly as possible,’’ Ms Berejiklian said.
She said more than 120 projects were under way as part of Transport Access Program and a lift at Arncliffe was being considered.
Sydney Alliance has a petition online at: change.org; search for install-a-lift-at-arncliffe-station.
Is the NSW government doing enough to deliver a lift to Arncliffe station?
