NWRL - Trust Submission

On the 29 October 2012 the NSW Government released the Second

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS2) for the North West Rail Link (NWRL)

How it will affect local residents:

 * Passengers travelling on the Northern Line from Beecroft and Cheltenham, who currently enjoy a direct run into the city on one train, will be forced to change at Epping for a single deck train. At Chatswood, they will then need to change again back to a double deck train to get to the CBD.

* That means having to get three trains into the city increasing travel time by 15 minutes rather than the one seamless system they enjoy now.

* The introduction of this incompatible component is unacceptable.

Minister Berejiklian has stated that this will create great disruption for commuters on the Northern Line.

The NWRL is a much needed project for Western Sydney but it should not be a metro line. The distance is far too long for metro style transport. The tunnels should be built large enough for current double deck trains to allow its integration into the current rail system.

Lodge your objection to EIS2 by December 3 2012.

Name & Address……………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Application number SSI-5414

A brief statement (in support of your objection to the proposal)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………….…………….....

………………………………………………………………………………….………………

Your reason(s) (for objecting to the proposal)

………………………………………………………………………….……………………….

………………………………………………………………………….……………………….

……………………………………………………………Signature…………………………

SEND YOUR SUMISSION BY - December 3-2012 to:

Email – plan_comment@planning.nsw.gov.au

Post – Major Projects Assessment Dept. of Planning & Infrastructure GPO Box 39 Sydney NSW 2000

Fax to – 02 9228 6355

 

NWRL Acquisition of Land Below Houses

Transport for NSW is sending out 16 page letters to every house above the planned corridor for the NWRL, beginning the formal acquisition process for the land beneath people's houses where the tunnel requires access.
It includes statements like "Clause 2 of Schedule 6B of the Transport Administration Act 1988 (attached) provides that no compensation is payable ... ".

ETTT - Expert questions Bridge Safety

The Trust received a copy of a submission on the ETTT by a highly qualified railway engineering specialist.  It includes many alarming statements on issues from track safety to noise and environmental polution.  The following very well researched statement is one example:

"The overbridges at Chapman Avenue and Cheltenham Road would not perform as well as the original Granville overbridge if a freight train derailed affecting either bridge.  If a pier was demolished the bridge would collapse straight away.  This actually applies to most prestressed concrete overbridges on the proposed freight corridor." 

The Trust has raised concerns on this issue with particular relevance to the very tight bends and steep grade along the Beecroft /  Cheltenham stretch of track, which makes derailment there a significantly higher possibility than elsewhere.

Epping Thornleigh Third Rail - NTTAG submission

This post contains a few selected extracts from the EIS, with comments by the No Third Track Action Group in their submission.

The EIS talks of the Intersection of Beecroft Road and The Crescent, where they intend to have a construction compound and two access gates. 
NTTAG points out that this access, with the turn off into Kirkham Street, is already a traffic black spot, and the North West Rail Link intends to put heavy spoil and construction traffic up Kirkham Street at the same time as the ETTT is bringing construction traffic into the intersection.

Loss of Parking for Shoppers in Beecroft Village
The EIS claims there should be no problem with 200 construction personnel coming in by road each weekday, and parking in the many vacant parking spots around the village.  Presumably they will be starting work at 7am. 
NTTAG says, pity the poor shoppers looking for spaces after 9am!

The EIS advises there will be a construction camp in Old Beecroft Road!
NTTAG says the only exit is via the intersection onto Beecroft Road which is already hazardous with just local residents of Old Beecroft Road trying to get in and out.  Without traffic lights, trucks pulling out into fast flowing traffic pose serious hazards.

The EIS identifies a need to close and modify the bridge over the motorway, including closure of lanes and diversion of traffic on the M2. 
NTTAG says that, after two years of torment during the unwanted M2 Widening Project, a backlash of commuter fury can be expected!

EIS Para 5.7.1 says this program is only indicative -
NTTAG says "You are indicating it could take more than 45 months (ie 4 years +) and you believe this is an acceptable time frame to subject a community to excessive noise, excessive traffic, real safety concerns for our kids, loss of community facilities and services, pollution and that is just the construction period.  Rebuilding the Beecroft Rail Bridge a couple of years ago was proposed to take 8 months but took 18 months". 
EIS same para advises that sections of the main north line would need to be closed to undertake some of this work and buses would be used instead.  Just what the roads around Beecroft need during the chaos of coincident construction of the EFFT and NWRL!

EIS proposes to do major earthworks etc during night time and weekends, with indication of 12 heavy vehicle movements per hour.
NTTAG says this noise will be even worse for sleep deprivation than the finished rail freight system.

EIS proposes 24 hours per day working for five days between Christmas and New Year at end of 2014
NTTAG asks, what about family gatherings to celebrate Chrismas and a joyous new year?

EIS Para 5.8.1 forecasts 150 to 200 light vehicles accessing the site on a typical working day, up to 400 during rail closures, plus 120 light vehicles associated with the project office.
(and so on!)

NWRL Effect on Beecroft and Cheltenham

The following is a letter from a resident of Cheltenham that seems to summarise a problem the Trust is concerned with.

Catch the train? NWRL will remove your Direct Rail Link to the City.

On 29 October the NSW Government released the second Environmental Impact Statement (EIS2) for the North West Rail Link (NWRL).

EIS2 confirms that the NWRL will greatly disrupt passengers from Cheltenham, Beecroft, Pennant Hills, Normanhurst and Thornleigh want to go to the City or North Sydney.

The existing Epping to Chatswood Rail Line (ECRL) will be changed so that it will only run single deck trains between Epping and Chatswood. These lines will not be compatible with the current double deck network.

Passengers from Cheltenham, Beecroft, Pennant Hills, Normanhurst and Thornleigh will have to catch three trains to get to the city via Chatswood, instead of the single direct route we now enjoy. These residents will have to change first at Epping (to a single deck - which is likely to be crowded) and then wait and change again at Chatswood (back to a double deck train coming down the North Shore line from Hornsby).

This will mean:

• you are more likely to be standing on your trip,
• increased travel times,
• more cars forced back onto the roads in these areas, and
• the removal of a convenient train link to the city is likely to drive down property prices in these areas.

Lodge an objection to EIS2 to have your voice heard. Here’s How:

The only way to be heard is to voice your concern. Make a submission to EIS2 objecting to the proposal:

Submissions are due by 3 December 2012 and must include:

1.     Your name and address;

2.     The name of your application;

3.     The application number (SSl-5414);

4.     A brief statement on whether you support or object to the proposal; and

5.     The reasons why you support or object to the proposal.

Your submission should be marked “Attention: Director, Infrastructure Projects” and can be:

• Emailed to: plan_comment@planning.nsw.gov.au
• Faxed to (02) 9228 6355
• OR Posted to Major Projects Assessment, Department of Planning and lnfrastructure, GPO Box 39, Sydney, NSW 2001.

Transport NSW will also hold an information session about the NWRL at the Epping Club on 22 November from 4pm- 8pm. If you can, attend the session and tell them your concerns.

For more info also see: www.northernaction.blogspot.com