It wasn’t all that long ago the Mercury reported the major transformation of the Lawes Street, East Maitland shopping precinct.
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Glowing reports flowed from across the community, especially the elderly, who found it a convenient place to shop or meet with friends for lunch and a coffee.
New footpaths, plenty of parking and a variety of specialty shops have transformed the precinct into a vibrant community centre.
It is close to medical facilities, pharmacies, banks and building societies and essential services.
Well, at least for those who can get there by car or bus it seems.
Two rail commuters joined with Labor candidate for Maitland Jenny Aitchison this week to call for an elevator to be installed at Victoria Street train station.
Ashtonfield mother of four Race Barstow prefers to shop at the Lawes Street precinct rather than travel to Green Hills, but now has trouble getting there.
Ms Barstow would park her car at Metford station, get off at Victoria Street station and enjoy the short walk to the Lawes Street shops.
Now, with a seven-week-old son in a pram, she is unable to make the trek because there is no elevator at Victoria Street station.
Eighty-five-year-old East Maitland Lodge resident Daphne Unicomb, who is confined to a wheelchair on outings, also joined the call for an elevator, saying it would make it easier for her to travel by train to visit her son at John Hunter Hospital.
Ms Barstow and Mrs Unicomb are only two of many commuters who would benefit from an elevator at the station.
Hopefully Transport for NSW will hear their pleas.