2nd EIS for NWRL

The second environmental assessment (EIS2) for the North West Rail Link project is now on exhibition.

EIS2 focuses on:

·         Design and operation of the eight new railway stations at Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Showground (formerly Hills Centre), Norwest, Bella Vista, Kellyville, Rouse Hill and Cudgegong Road

·         Design and operation of the skytrain

·         Commuter parking for 4,000 cars

·         How the rapid transit rail link operates, including the new generation single deck trains announced as part of Sydney’s Rail Future

·         Transport interchanges

·         Areas around the railway stations

·         Rail infrastructure like railway tracks and signalling systems.

For an interactive look at the North West Rail Link, click here - http://northwestrail.interactivetour.com.au/

To view a summary or a full version of EIS2, click here - http://northwestrail.com.au/document/index/1#

For information on how to make a submission, click here - http://northwestrail.com.au/document/show/172

If you would like more information, attend one of our community information sessions:

·         Thursday 8 November, 4pm–8pm

Crowne Plaza Norwest, 1 Columbia Court, Baulkham Hills

·         Saturday 10 November, 10am–2pm

Cherrybrook Uniting Church, 134 New Line Road, Cherrybrook

·         Thursday 15 November, 4pm–8pm

North West Rail Link, Community Information Centre,

299 Old Northern Road, (corner of Crane Road), Castle Hill

·         Saturday 17 November, 10am–2pm

Rouse Hill Town Centre, Level 1, Link Lane, off Main Street, Rouse Hill

·         Thursday 22 November, 4pm–8pm

Epping Club, 45–47 Rawson Street, Epping

M2 Progress and Completion Dates

In response to a query by the Trust, the M2 Project responds:

The current program is on track for completion of Murray Farm Road Bridge by the summer holiday period in December. The traffic lights will be removed and normal two-way operation of the bridge will be restored for motorists. Please note this is subject to weather and any technical issues which may arise during the final bridgeworks activities to be undertaken over the next two months.

In regard to remediation under Devlins Creek Bridge, the project team is required to reinstate the area to its condition prior to the start of construction. The remediation program is 30% complete, with full reinstatement currently programmed for January 2013.  

No Left Turn onto Albert Road

A letter has been received from Hornsby Shire Council Traffic and Road Safety Branch, proposing to install "No Left Turn" signs on the entrance to Albert Road off Beecroft Road for traffic going south.  Their objective is to improve morning traffic in the northern end of Wongala Crescent during school drop off times.
The Civic Trust has reservations about this proposal, which will force such traffic to turn left onto Chapman Avenue, and then left again into that section of Wongala Crescent.  There is already too much congestion on Beecroft Road approaching Chapman Avenue in the morning.  Increasing the number of cars turning left onto Chapman Avenue will compound the Beecroft Road traffic problem.
The Trust believes that developments including the Northern Rail Freight Corridor, with changes to car parking and major construction, and the development of the Beecroft Shopping Centre to five storeys with anticipated huge increase in traffic demand, mandate a comprehensive review of all traffic arrangements affecting Beecroft Road.  Installing a couple of No Turn signs to force more cars to drive into the Beecroft/Chapman bottleneck area is not the solution.
Submissions are required by cob Monday 12 November.  Please consider, and whatever you decide have your say by writing, subject "Proposed No Left Turn into Albert Road (East)", to
The General Manager
Hornsby Shire Council,
PO Box 37
Hornsby
NSW 1630,
or
email to hsc@hornsby.nsw.gov.au

Third Rail Project Information

Information Sessions on the Epping to Thornleigh Third Track will be held at

Cheltenham Recreation Club, Wednesday 10 October between 5 and 8pm

Beecroft Community Centre, Saturday 20 October between 10am and 1 pm

The BCCT will have representatives outside these meetings with a submission to sign opposing the project. Please speak to them.

2119.org.au BCCT Website

The Trust's website went down for a few days, but is back up now, at the original internet addy.  Unfortunately you may not be able to open it if your computer still has links to the old site, for some technical reason you have to flush out that old link before the site comes up.  If you have this problem email us at secretary@2119.org.au and we will send instructions how to flush the links.

Beecroft Cheltenham History Group Website

The History Group associated with the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust has opened a new Website at bchg.org.au. 

The History Group is very keen to hear from anyone who is interested in contributing stories, photos, historical items or knowledge about buildings or events relevant to our history in Beecroft or Cheltenham. Any information to add to or correct information on this web site will be gratefully received.