Upgrade gives councillor a little lift

A LIFT for the upgraded Springvale Railway Station has City of Greater Dandenong councillor Roz Blades jumping for joy.
“I’m just totally rapt,” she said.
“I felt like doing a little dance around the room.”
On 29 August Star News Group reported concerns that commuters with walkers and wheelchairs wouldn’t be able to access the station following the level crossing removal because the planned ramp was too long and steep.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder last Thursday announced that two lifts would be added to the station upgrade, one for each platform.
He said the access ramps and stairs included in the projects complied with the Disability Discrimination Act requirements but there was strong community support for lifts.
“These new lifts will be large enough to accommodate ambulance stretchers,” Mr Mulder said.
“We are also looking into sourcing a back-up power supply so that the lifts run independent of the station power supply.”
The announcement followed petitions and letters to the State Government, spearheaded by Cr Blades.
“On behalf of all the people who are going to be using that station, it’s going to make life a lot easier,” she said.
“I’m very pleased that they’ve responded so quickly. We couldn’t afford to leave this until after it was built.”
Work on the Springvale Road rail crossing removal project is due to be completed late next year.