Disability groups are demanding the State Government provide disabled access
at Redfern station, instead of waiting for a planned upgrade as much as two
years away.
Redfern is a major transport hub connecting thousands of people a day, yet
it remains without a disabled lift or ramp on any of its platforms.
Many nearby stations across the city already have disabled access, said
People With Disability CEO Michael Bleasdale, meaning there was no excuse for a
station the size of Redfern to remain without.
“It’s really important that Redfern becomes accessible to disabled people,
not just to workers and residents but also people who use the hub for changing
lines,” he said.
The State Government is delaying any access improvements until the station
redevelopment.
“I really think it needs to be fast-tracked. I’m nots sure why it’s
dependent on the masterplan for Waterloo
and Redfern’s redevelopment.”
The State Government was criticised last week for its track record on
station upgrade promises.
Quizzed before a parliamentary budget estimates committee, Transport
Minister David Campbell could not give a start date on much-needed access works
at Newtown.
Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon, a member of the transport budget estimates
committee, asked Mr Campbell why nothing had started when Deputy Premier Carmel
Tebbutt, Member for Marrickville, promised during the 2007 election campaign
that Newtown
would be the first station to get disability access.
“Sydenham station is not due to have its access upgraded until 2012 and it
has already moved to a finalising option,’’ Ms Rhiannon said.
Mel Harrison, who is confined to a wheelchair, travels to Redfern from Bass
Hill for work several times a week and says the station desperately needs
disabled access.
At the moment, she says, the lack of access is adding to her woes.
“It’s quite an expense, driving, but I don’t have much option when there’s
no access.” she told Central.
“It’s a reality of people with a mobility impairment – you have to take
transport that’s more expensive.”
Photo: Phil Rogers
Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/public-transport-excludes-disabled/