Re Cherrybrook Station: I have attended the last 2 presentations on the proposed North West Rail Link and on both occasions I asked for details on the strategies that will be in place to minimise disruption on Castle Hill Road especially pertaining to trucks movements. Whilst I accept that trucks must travel along Castle Hill Road, this is already a busy road and is frequently conjested in mornings and evenings. Up to 3 additional set of traffic lights are to be added to Castle Hill Road, what steps will be taken to ensure traffic flow? To date my questions have been treated with courtesy but without much detail or reassurance. I live in Curtis Close and often travel along Castle Hill Road in both directions.

I alwyas been supportive of any step being taken by the State Goverment to complete this task.

This is the wish of all Northwest residents to see the Rail link completed asap.

Carry on the good work

Hi I am writing to make comment on the North West Rail line.

Sydney's rail system is set up to provide transport consistent with its geographic spread. We do not have a significant population density or workforce density in the North West to warrant a single level metro style system. These systems work well in high frequency in highly built up locations like CBDs. I lived in Pennant t Hills for over twenty years and know about the long travel times to the city. It would not be bearable as a commuter to have to stand for such long time without the benefits of additional seating that the double decker trains provide. If the Government proceeds with a single deckers system then at least plan for the future and allow the tunnels to accommodate double decker trains. The money spent now will provide long term flexibility for little additional outlay.

Further the proposal to have commuters change trains at Chatswood creates unnecessary confusion and delays for commuters in the North West and creates significant disincentives for people to commute. We need to remove as many impediments to public transport as possible to make Sydney a liveable city now and into the future.

Lastly I must say I support the railway to the north west to alleviate the significant traffic issues people have there but I believe that we need to plan for the future and not see the metro system as a fad option.

Good Afternoon,

Though the concept of a new railway link is benefical to the whole community, we have have concerns on the impact on our company
-Street parking, at present, vehicle are parked on both sides on the street, making it extremely difficult not to mention dangerous for 2 car to drive on either side at the same time. Almost always you would have to slow down when driving along Brookhollow to avoid an accident. With the new station traffic would most definitely increase and so would people parking on the streets. As it is some vehicles park over our driveway. There should be either no parking or parking only on one side of the street.
-On the plans there is to be a taxi pick and drop area opposite our building. Our concern is of security. With more people now converging at the area opposite us, there is more chance of loitering and possibile vandalism, especially after hours.
-With more traffic now expected on Norwest Boluevardm are there any plans to ease traffic congestion. As it is during peak hour it is difficult to enter and leave this area.


Regards

Mr Brian Mackenzie
52 Grange Avenue
Schofields NSW 2762

North West Rail Link - Stations, Rail Infrastructure and Systems

Application number SSI-5414

1. I support the premise and logic covering the build of the North West Rail Line from Epping Station to Rouse Hill Station.

2. I offer concern on the build design/quality of the stations on this line.

3. I object to the proposal incorporating the extension to Cudgegong Station as it mirrors the dishonesty witnessed in the course of the Richmond line duplication.


Reasons:

I support the premise and logic covering the build of the North West Rail Line from Epping Station to Rouse Hill Station.

1. Quite simple really. Anyone working in the service industry at Macquarie Park (who might live at Schofields), starting work at 6.30am has to drive (approximately 35 - 40 minutes) with the cost penalty of tolls, fuel and parking. The current quickest public transport solution is two trains and one bus taking 1 hour and 45 minutes. Any short term inconvenience in the course of the build is counteracted by the benefit of the delivered infrastructure.


I offer concern on the build design/quality of the stations on this line.

2. Whilst there has not been a recent large new build project on the Cityrail network, the work conducted on the upgrade of a number of stations (and especially the poorly, built, poorly designed eyesore named Schofields) does not offer any level of trust that the stations designed on the NWRL will be any better (especially since the "bottom feeders" responsible for the "Schofields" station are still employed by Transport for NSW).
Using it as the prime example of how to not build a station:
a. It, in no way, compares to the artists impression (shame really, the artists impression had merit),
b. The awnings stop short of the rail track area which means that commuters are not afforded any protection in inclement weather,
c. Because the platform runs back to the centre any rain that falls on the platform is funnelled to the centre (no care for commuters baggage),
d. When the idiots incorporated two sets of stairs down to the platform they did not ensure that the ticket area was at the top (as it is with all other stations that have two stairs),
e. Awning design was so poor that the only phone on the station gets wet when it rains,
f. The downpipes, rather than being simple design and easy to remove have sharp changes in direction that will, over time, clog,
g. The overflows on the guttering system do not vent over the rail line but over the commuters on the platform,
h. Due to the platform design vomitus is now washed into a central grated gutter (where it most likely remains) rather than being hosed over the side,
i. Whilst the artist's impression offered a contrast of earth colours for the station the end result (no doubt based on a bet involving St George winning the NRL final) sees a monstrous maroon and off white colour scheme on both the roof and walls. First excuse offered was that it was a heritage scheme matching the roof of the Richmond rail station (the latter is actually slate). This excuse only changed on commissioning that it matched the scheme on the Stationmasters cottage at Riverstone (which is actually maroon and pale yellow and on the roof only - not white and not on the walls).

You could also look to the "bodgy built" Schofields footbridge (poor build quality but signed off by incompetent engineers).

Avoid those and you might just be on the right track.


I object to the proposal incorporating the extension to Cudgegong Station as it mirrors the dishonesty witnessed in the course of the Richmond line duplication.

3.The proposed extension that had been shown on maps such as the UBD included the Box Hill Growth Area (on way to Vineyard). The change to "Cudgegong alignment" removes the build of a rail line that includes the greater part of the northern and eastern parts of the North West Growth Centre. The question is whether the realignment and inclusion of "Cudgegong" is purely due to the inability of planners to incorporate a car park at Rouse Hill.

One of the major listed justifications offered in the EIS for the rail duplication on the Richmond line (relocation of the Nirimba station/removal of Schofields station) was that a distance of 1.5kms between stations (Nirimba station/original Schofields station) was contrary to efficient rail operation. The distance between Rouse Hill station and the planned Cudgegong station is 1.5kms (contrary to efficient rail operation).

A primary schematic offered in support of the Nirimba station relocation/Schofields station removal blatantly and dishonestly misrepresented the distance between those stations (as a visual representation). The schematic in the NWRL showing the distance between Cudgegong station and Rouse Hill station and the Richmond rail line again blatantly and dishonestly misrepresents those distances. The schematic places Cudgegong station halfway between Windsor Road and the Richmond rail line which would be a distance of 2.7kms from Rouse Hill station (not 1.5kms stated).

As with the request to supply the feasibility study based on the options associated with the Richmond rail line (none supplied because was not conducted), the request for a copy of the feasibility study covering the options that lead to the decision to plan Cudgegong over Box Hill has seen the same response (none supplied because was not conducted).

North West Metro Extension Phase 2 Study October 2008 included: 08
™. Explored alignment options between Rouse Hill and Schofields stations.
™. The preferred option introduced a station at Tallawong Road.

That changed to:
NWRL Project Overview July 2011J 2011
a train stabling facility at Tallawong Road and a proposed future station at Cudgegong Road

Yet again, no feasibility study or information supporting how the option was determined.

Transport for NSW appears to be nothing more than a "rebadged" Transport Construction Authority and, based on the evidence from the Richmond line duplication project, little to no confidence in their competence is considered appropriate.

By the way, it would have been more appropriate (and honest) to build the car park for Rouse Hill at the intersection of Schofields Road and Windsor Road (opposite the lawn cemetery) rather than at the "Cudgegong" station.

Due to the close proximity of my property (residential) to the construction site of the Cherrybrook Station, we propose that measures are taken to reduce the negative impact of the construction traffic noise and the construction itself to our environment.
Such measures could pertain to a "noise barrier" being constucted on the north side of the existing brick fenceline which runs the perimeter along Castle Hill Road.
In addition we would request that consideration be given to "double glazing" our home.
Please be aware that our son Marcus has a profound disability and disturbed by loud noises. As we believe due consideration is being afforded the residents of Inala, we would ask that similiar consideration be given to our situation.

The desperately needed North West Link can easily proceed without adversely affecting commuters on the Northern and Macquarie Park Lines. By making the interchange for the North West Link at Epping rather than Chatswood, no commuters on any line would be required to change trains more than once (at Epping). This would also allow the Macquarie Park Line to remain as a public railway line, with the current fare structure.

See attached.