Transport credibility on the line with North West rail link

Wednesday, 26 September 2007 01:20

TEC Urban Campaigner Mr Leigh Martin said “The State Government is forging ahead with massive population growth in the North West growth centre. Failure to provide a major heavy rail link will create a transport and air pollution nightmare “.  

The proposed North West rail link is a key piece of supporting infrastructure of the North West growth centre and is essential to preventing massive gridlock in the new development area. It is also urgently required to ease pressure on the current CityRail network.  

“Sydney’s transport crisis is a direct result of failing to expand the rail network to meet demand from a growing population in North West and South West Sydney. Repeating these mistakes will condemn Sydney residents to decades of traffic chaos and harmful air pollution,” Mr Martin said. 

With the Government due to hold a major public forum on air quality in November, TEC has called on Premier Morris Iemma to immediately reject any moves from Treasurer Michael Costa to scrap the rail link or risk turning the forum into an empty farce. 

“Vehicle exhausts are a major and growing source of Sydney’s appalling air pollution. It is simply impossible to improve air quality without new rail links to reduce car dependency. Unless the Premier provides an immediate, rock solid commitment to complete the North West rail link on time the Clean Air Forum will be nothing more than an empty public relations exercise,” Mr Martin said.