11 Sep 2007: BCC demonstrates the need for station near Forest Lake

[ozbob]

Media Release 11 September 2007

Brisbane City Council demonstrates the need for station near Forest Lake

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail has highlighted the nonsense response by Queensland Transport (QT) to calls for additional stations on the Darra to Springfield railway line.

Robert Dow said:

?While Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and Councillor Victoria Newton bicker over quick fixes to overcrowding on the Brisbane bus network, Queensland Transport's response to Rail Back on Track?s calls to build stations at Ellen Grove (Forrest Lake/Carole Park) and Springfield Lakes (reference 1)  shows that the state?s highest transport authority is in denial over how to deliver urgently needed public transport services to these rapidly growing suburbs.

?In it?s response to Rail Back on Track?s concerns, Queensland Transport claimed that the decision to delay the construction of stations at Ellen Grove (Forrest Lake/Carole Park) and Springfield Lakes was ?based on current and projected population figures, as well as likely travel patterns?  (Queensland Times 14/08/07).

?However QT's position not to immediately build these stations has been shown to be flawed given that of the many bus services suffering chronic overcrowding,  Newton?s plan highlighted that sweeper buses are needed to cope with capacity on bus route 100 ? Forrest Lake to City (mX 3/09/07).  With the rapid growth occurring in the Springfield region it is likely that bus services in Springfield Lakes will be similarly overstretched in the near future.

?The only solution that is not a cheap and nasty quick-fix is to build the stations at Ellen Grove (Forrest Lake/Carole Park) and Springfield Lakes at the earliest possible time.  Existing bus routes in the area should then be modified to link up with stations and deliver the integrated transport solution that TRANSLlink was set up to provide.

?Rail is the real public transport solution for Forrest Lake and it is noteworthy that a train from Ellen Grove would be expected to take in the order of 30 minutes to reach the Brisbane CBD compared to the nearly one hour for bus services.

?It?s time that Queensland Transport caught up with the game and provided quality public transport when it is needed ? not five to ten years too late.

Reference:

1.  Media Release 9 Aug 2007 Darra to Springfield Railway Line ? More stations needed! http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=185.0

Contact:

Administration RAIL Back On Track

admin@backontrack.org

http://backontrack.org

All RAIL Back On Track media releases are available
here --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?board=19.0

[ozbob]

Feedback received, thanks Sue!

I live at Ellen Grove. I would love to see someone from the BCC undertake the car trip to Wacol station every morning (which is the closest station), down Progress Road which is now usually bumper to bumper and at a standstill since the closure of the Gailes (?) on ramp access to Ipswich Rd (inbound), which has really increased the traffic congestion. Couple that with the addition of traffic lights at Wacol station which follow a set rotation that reverts back to the start every time a train comes through the station. People coming off Progress Rd and turning right up Wacol Station Rd can sit in a great long line of traffic all the way back up Progress Rd for as long as 10 or 15 minutes. Same story in the evening. The road rage and the number of people running the red lights is unbelievable - because if you want to go straight ahead to the Ipswich Rd side of the station, or if you want to go left and back up Progress Rd - you simply can't go anywhere - because you have a red light - even though you aren't crossing the rail tracks!. I lose count of the trains I miss each morning because I just can't get to the station. Who ever designed the light rotation there needs their head examined.

Sue Hunt

[ozbob]

Follow up story in South West News, thanks for doing the story!

Rail bid off track

SEPTEMBER 19: Queensland Transport has slammed calls by the southwest's Rail Back on Track group for the immediate construction of a train station at Forest Lake.
A Queensland Transport spokesman said initial planning by the Horizon Alliance was continuing for the new Darra to Springfield rail corridor.
"In the '07/08 budget, the Queensland Government provided $77million to complete the design and target cost estimate and build early works,'' he said.
"Initial project proposals include two new QR Citytrain stations, one at Springfield and the other at Richlands. Potential stations have been identified for Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes.''
Rail Back on Track administrator Robert Dow said the state's highest transport authority was in denial over how to deliver public transport services to these rapidly growing suburbs.
"Queensland Transport claimed that the decision to delay the construction of stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes was based on current and projected population figures, as well as likely travel patterns, "Mr Dow said.
"QT's position not to immediately build these stations has been shown to be flawed.
"Rail is the real public transport solution for Forest Lake.''
Brisbane City Councillor Les Bryant (Richlands) said he had received very few calls from the local community to build a train station at Forest Lake.
"(The government) has made a decision that at this time they want to establish a station at Richlands,'' Cr Bryant said.
"There might be call for one at Ellen Grove in about five years. It would have to be viable and accessible.''

http://backontrack.org/docs/swn001sep19.pdf

To understand this you need to read  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=224.0  first (media release this thread).

It is madness,  build the railway line to Springfield without adequate stations.  They say might be needed in 5 years.  Hello, the line will just be finished in 5 years.

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

Submitted South West News September 24

Thanks for highlighting the failure of Queensland Transport to appreciate that the additional stations at Forest Lake (Ellen Grove) and Springfield Lakes on the Darra to Springfield railway line should be built from the outset.(South West News, September 19) The article failed to mention that RAIL Back On Track strongly supports the proposed stations at Richlands and Springfield, we are just concerned that it will be pointless not to also build the stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes.
The Brisbane City Council has recently identified the bus routes from Forest Lake are some of the routes that are already overloaded and sweeper buses will be required.  How much more desperate will the need for rail access be in a few more years?  Queensland Transport claims that consideration will be given in 5 years to building the additional stations. It will take 5 years before the line is fully operational, and again this exposes the flawed thinking of Queensland Transport.  Again we call for four railway stations to built from the outset.  This will afford speedy mass transit for all residents to the CBD and beyond.

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Further Comment from Sue, thanks!

Just thought I would update you after my little blurb about Wacol station the other week - they have actually made some changes to the lights, and have also installed a traffic island -- it appeared yesterday morning much to the confusion of a lot of people leaving the parking lot last night, but I guess they'll get the hang of it!
IT'S A MIRACLE!

Good to see improvements.

[ozbob]

From  http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22439111-27537,00.html

Enjoyed the forum. I agree with the Lord Mayor, and the Deputy Premier in that if the public transport infrastructure is rolled out it will be utilised. I wanted to ask why we are not utilising our present public transport infrastructure to the best advantage. The exemplar being the railway line to the airport. This is a wasted community asset. Also, the Darra to Springfield railway only two stations to be initially built. The proposed stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield lakes are on hold. This is stupid, already the BCC has identified the bus runs from Forest Lake (near Ellen Grove) need sweepers due to congestion. How much more in 5 years when the additional stations might be built. In line with the panels comments this evening, it would make sense to build all four stations now. That way people could actually catch the train.

Thanks all for an interesting forum.

Regards Robert Dow RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

CAST have put out a media release on the Darra to Springfield line and lack of stations.

See --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=137.msg761#msg761

or

Community Action for Sustainable Transport ? Media Release ? 05 October 2007

Springfield Rail Line ? extra stations needed

CAST believe that people in Brisbane?s outer suburbs should have easy access to quality public transport.

Therefore CAST believe that as the State Government builds the heavy rail line from Darra to Springfield they must build the Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes Railway Stations.

?These stations need to be built as the line is constructed, so people can use the train from these stations at the outset,? said CAST spokesperson Tristan Peach.

?Installing the stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes will put residents there in walking or cycling distance of a faster, safer and more convenient transport option than what is currently on offer,? said Mr Peach.

?Giving people in Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes access to rail will mean they might not have to buy that second car, and young people in the area can develop healthy and safe transport habits by walking or cycling to their local train station,? said Mr Peach.

?This will also take pressure off local road networks, as people who normally drive to Gailes or Wacol Station, or who drive all the way to the city, will have a better option,? said Mr Peach.

Queensland Transport have recently stated these stations would be developed later on because these areas have low population densities and there would not be sufficient demand.

But CAST believe Queensland Transport?s approach will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

?If you don?t give people access to quality public transport then of course they?re not going to use it,? said Mr Peach.

?Having easy access to quality public transport infrastructure can change people?s travel patterns and we believe it is definitely a case of build it and they will come,? said Mr Peach.

?The Goodwill Pedestrian Bridge and the Southeast Busway are both great examples of demand exceeding expectations,? said Mr Peach.

?We would also like to know whether Queensland Transport?s projections have taken into account rising fuel prices, which will lead to higher demand for public transport,? said Mr Peach.

The stations would also allow Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes residents to access Springfield Town Centre, and workers in the Carole Park industrial area to get to work via train.

Currently a bus ride from Ellen Grove to the city can take between 50-60 minutes, but if residents are able to jump on the train they could get to the city in 30 minutes.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes has done a story  click here!

[ozbob]

Channel 7 Brisbane did a story on 6th October in their 6pm news bulletin.

Thanks Channel 7 it was a great piece of journalism.  Certainly captured and exposed the flawed position of Queensland Transport in their obstinate refusal to build the stations at Springfield Lakes and Ellen Grove right from the outset.

We will continue to seek a common sense outcome to this transport planning failure.


See further media release

7 Oct 2007: Brisbane - Flawed Queensland Transport planning highlighted.

http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=246.0