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Roadworks near train stations - should there be time restrictions?
pfillery - June 27th, 2013 at 08:01 PM

I commute by train. I understand roadworks are essential and I'm not whinging, simply raising a valid concern. Some non emergency (ie routine upgrade to an intersection as opposed to something like fixing a burst water pipe) is restricting, and sometimes cutting completely, the traffic area right near my local station (the only way in between my house and the station without a long detour). My question is should there be some sort of restriction on the time major disruptions are carried out? So as not to coincide with peak time access to the station on the only road in. I have missed 2 trains this week because of this.

It is the same as if they decided to do work in the middle of the Sydney CBD or the harbour bridge at 8am. It would cause chaos and many complaints. I have raised this concern with the council who are the ones doing it but nothing has changed. I live 5 minutes drive from the station and normally leave 15 minutes early yet have still been delayed on 2 occasions this week. And I can clearly see up the road. No cars coming the other way, no workers or machinery on the road, just the stop-go people. No logical reason to hold up traffic for 15 to 20 minutes. On both occasions I could have driven up the other side of the road into the station car park. Not sure if they have any power to infringe that at all. Very frustrating.

I'm told they are months behind due to rain but that isn't my fault. They should be doing nights or during the day when it isnt busy, but that would cost more. Often contractors get penalised every day they are late finishing a project like this. Who else would it be wise to contact about this?

I respect they have a job to do but doesn't courtesy come into it somewhere?

helbus - June 27th, 2013 at 08:14 PM

Can you get an all day park near the works and walk the last bit? Can you walk all the way to the station? Is it a 30 minute walk? I have walked to work before, and it is a brisk 45 minutes to walk the 3.8km

pfillery - June 27th, 2013 at 08:21 PM

Really no all day parks because of its close proximity to a shopping centre. It is probably a 3 or 4 km distance and combine the fact that every minute with the family is important at 6 am getting kids ready etc plus the frequent need to carry parcels etc for posting while at work, walking just isn't practical.

My issue is them stopping all traffic when nothing is happening and my train is coming. Twice out of 4 days is a bit much.

Isola - June 27th, 2013 at 09:06 PM

Is it possible to tke the long detour way and get there on time? Is this the station over at Geebung where they are building the overpass? I sat in that for nearly a half hour last week.

I agree it shouldn't be in peak hour times. But night work can affect people who live nearby (if any) so they do usually have hour restrictions due to noise.

grumble - June 27th, 2013 at 10:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pfillery
I commute by train. I understand roadworks are essential and I'm not whinging, simply raising a valid concern. Some non emergency (ie routine upgrade to an intersection as opposed to something like fixing a burst water pipe) is restricting, and sometimes cutting completely, the traffic area right near my local station (the only way in between my house and the station without a long detour). My question is should there be some sort of restriction on the time major disruptions are carried out? So as not to coincide with peak time access to the station on the only road in. I have missed 2 trains this week because of this.
F'n bloody,F'n bloody gees I hate this and the billy goat with the stop sign looks like this is his best chance at employment so he is on a power surge.

It is the same as if they decided to do work in the middle of the Sydney CBD or the harbour bridge at 8am. It would cause chaos and many complaints. I have raised this concern with the council who are the ones doing it but nothing has changed. I live 5 minutes drive from the station and normally leave 15 minutes early yet have still been delayed on 2 occasions this week. And I can clearly see up the road. No cars coming the other way, no workers or machinery on the road, just the stop-go people. No logical reason to hold up traffic for 15 to 20 minutes. On both occasions I could have driven up the other side of the road into the station car park. Not sure if they have any power to infringe that at all. Very frustrating.

I'm told they are months behind due to rain but that isn't my fault. They should be doing nights or during the day when it isnt busy, but that would cost more. Often contractors get penalised every day they are late finishing a project like this. Who else would it be wise to contact about this?

I respect they have a job to do but doesn't courtesy come into it somewhere?

F'n bloody,F'n bloody I hate this and the moron with the sign is on a power binge because he can so he stops you so the other workers can have morning tea.:grind:

beetleboyjeff - June 27th, 2013 at 11:32 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhdiMTKFnYM 

pfillery - June 29th, 2013 at 01:26 PM

Well a win for the little guy!

Got a call back from council (there was the first surprise) to confirm what time work was happening. Turns out they do have a 6am cut off each morning and exceeded that by 45 minutes on at least 2 occasions so trouble for them. He didn't sound happy about it either.

Thanks for all the replies and hopefully it should not be an issue any longer.