Point Cook businesses are abandoning Wallace Avenue in frustration over traffic mayhem on both sides of the Princes Freeway due to a shortage of commuter car parking at Williams Landing railway station.
Desperate commuters have resorted to parking on both sides of Wallace Avenue, which is on the opposite side of the freeway to the station – parking in spaces reserved for businesses – and on vacant land adjoining the Palmers Road overpass at the base of the footbridge.
Direct Vet Services’ Karen Davies said with car parking outside businesses on Wallace Avenue regularly being occupied by all-day commuters, she knew of one business that had opted to relocate.
“From as soon as the station opened [in April, 2013], the impact on businesses around here has been horrendous,” Dr Davies said.
“These businesses own the parking spaces outside their premises and they’re being occupied by train commuters, meaning clients are unable to access them.
“Cars are parking on both sides of Wallace Avenue in two-hour and no parking spaces … because of this, trucks which need to access businesses either can’t get through or risk damaging other vehicles.
“The commuters parking on the grass verge near the overpass have taken it upon themselves to park in a safe and responsible manner, but it again shows the lack of planning and foresight from those involved in planning the station.”
Dr Davies said businesses had even explored the possibility of installing boom gates or employing parking officers.
“We can arrange for wheel clamps, but any steps we take would be at our own expense,” she said.
Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman Andrea Duckworth said Williams Landing station had one of the largest carparks in the metropolitan rail network, with parking for about 500 cars.
“We believe that the best way to alleviate parking congestion is to offer a range of ways to get to the station.
“In addition to the 500 carparks, there is a drop-off zone, five connecting bus routes and a secure Parkiteer bicycle cage for cyclists.
“As part of opening Williams Landing station, bus services were more than tripled in the Point Cook area, from 697 to 2120 weekly services, and public transport was extended to Point Cook South and Saltwater Coast for the first time.
“The number of train customers travelling to the station by bus is three times higher than bus access across the rest of the train network, demonstrating that many people are using the new bus services rather than driving to the station.”
Ms Duckworth said PTV officers were only able to issue infringement notices to vehicles illegally parked at train station carparks.
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