No news on start to underpass repairs

Member for Gosford Ms Kathy Smith has claimed that the NSW Government is refusing to say when work will start on repair on the rail underpass closed after a recent truck accident.

However, Sydney Trains has confirmed that it will take six months for the repair "to allow for tailored design, fabrication and construction".

"A Sydney Trains engineering team has inspected the clearance frame, which is damaged beyond repair and will need to be replaced," according to a statement issued by Sydney Trains.

"New bridge protection is required and will include clearance frames on both road approaches to the bridge, designed to act as early warnings to high vehicles, as well as crash beams on either side of the bridge, designed to protect the bridge from potential vehicle collision.

"At this stage a replacement will take up to six months to allow for tailored design, fabrication and construction.

"The bridge is not damaged and train services continue to run as normal.

"The safety of our customers and people is our number one priority.

"We are working with Council to ensure signage directs drivers to the Rawson Road level crossing."

Ms Smith said the NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Andrew Constance, had refused to answer questions about when works will begin and when the underpass will be reopened.

"Despite a road accident causing the closure of the underpass over a month ago, the NSW Government has refused to answer questions on when the underpass will reopen," Ms Smith said.

"Commuters, who are experiencing daily chaos as a result of the closure, are infuriated by unconfirmed reports which suggest works, to make the underpass usable again, will take another six months," she said.

"The inconvenience the road closure is causing is creating anger in the community and the lack of answers forthcoming from the Baird Government is appalling," Ms Smith said.

"A six month timeframe is simply unacceptable.

"It's time the Minister understood the needs of local residents and fixed this issue immediately.

"This is just another kick in the guts for local residents.

"First it was the closure of the local RMS Office, then the debacle with the Rawson Rd level crossing and now complete silence from the Minister about when this project will be completed," she said.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Mr David Harris said: "Residents trying to get to and from home and work are being inconvenienced unnecessarily.

"It is time the Minister fronted up and told local residents exactly when this vital work will be completed," he said.

"The Baird Government must provide the residents of the Peninsula with answers.

"Kathy Smith has been a vocal advocate on this issue for her local community and it is imperative the Minister provides her with adequate answers."

Media release, 11 May 2016

David Harris, Shadow Minister for the Central Coast

Media statement, 29 Apr 2016

Scott Gillespie, Sydney Trains