The $23 million for Oatley station’s lift and improved access was highlighted (“Plea for a fair go”, Leader, January 17) relative to Bexley North’s persisting status quo.
Obviously some stations have to wait in the queue, but my angle on the unconscionable amount of money spent on Oatley, is that the project could have been significantly rationalised, and the left-over funds allocated to another suburb.
Specifically, the whole of the western aspect of the construction is colossally and hideously intrusive on the landscape, such that new trees etc will never disguise; while at the same time being superfluous, i.e. simply unnecessary.
For the disabled, and pram-wheeling mothers, the new eastern access, which is environmentally un-obscene, would have been and is, surely adequate.
I cannot understand why lift access needed to be duplicated, and as for the western steps, they just ‘‘add salt to the (unaesthetic) wound’’.
I cannot help having a sneaking suspicion that the railway design team realised that Oatley was receiving false and inappropriate priority, and quietly decided to lumber it with what forever will be a monstrosity.
That, to my mind, is the really regrettable part of North Bexley having to miss out ... not to mention most of the platforms at Redfern, that handle dozens of times Oatley’s daily passenger load, being in the same boat.
Tony Martin, Mortdale