A Cessnock man says he doubts a light rail line into Newcastle will ever eventuate.
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In a letter to the Mercury, Bruce Matthews argued there were no concrete plans for transport into the city, aside from a commitment from the state government to close the train line permanently from Boxing Day.
“Nor have contracts been let or called for, for the trams or the infrastructure for them, overhead wiring and track-laying,” he wrote.
“This means that they will not appear for many years, if at all.
“The way I see it, people will refuse to use the train and bus to get into town as it will be too inconvenient.
“The government will then say that trams are not required as the patronage levels cannot justify the expense of their proposed light rail.
“The final outcome will be that there will only be buses, nothing else.”
Mr Matthews’ comments came as NSW Transport Minister and Minister for the Hunter Gladys Berejiklian announced last week that an environmental impact statement needed to be prepared before the Department of Planning could approve the light rail proposal.
She said Hunter-based companies GHD and RPS Manidis Roberts would perform the study, which would include technical studies, field investigations and community consultation to minimise community and environmental impacts of replacing trains with light rail.
Heritage, visual and urban design, noise and vibration, air quality and traffic effects will be assessed.
Geotechnical works have also begun on the planned route to assess conditions above and below the ground.
“These experienced companies will undertake the studies and investigations required as part of the planning approval process,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This work will provide important information to feed into the Newcastle light rail design and planning work.
“The light rail route will deliver customers to a number of new stops and will serve the main activity areas of the city and improve connections so locals and visitors can enjoy all that Newcastle has to offer.
“During the environmental planning process, consultation will play an important role in finalising the design for Newcastle light rail.”