Power to park

By Jade Lawton
THREE-hundred new car parks at Berwick Station remain off-limits to commuters because electricity has not been connected to the new overhead lights.
The car parks, announced in the State Government’s 2008/2009 budget, were originally expected to be completed by late November.
A Department of Transport spokeswoman told the Gazette this week that the car parks would be opened as soon as the electricity was connected to the overhead lights and all safety regulations were met.
“Car park lighting is key to the security and safety of commuters using the car park,” she said.
Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce president Harry Hutchinson said that while safety was important, most commuters were out of the car park by about 7pm, which was still daylight in the summer months.
“Prior to that area being sealed there were probably about 200 cars that always parked there, so where are they parking now?
“There are a lot parking on Fairholme Boulevard and a lot taking up vital car parks in Berwick Village,” he said. Mr Hutchinson said that car parks in the village were already in short supply.
“It is absolutely diabolical.
“It is almost impossible to get a park after 11pm – it seems to be when the second shift of workers come in,” he said.
The Department of Transport did not confirm when the electricity would be connected to the new car parking area.
Once opened, the 300 additional spaces will bring the total number of car parks at the station to 789 – an increase of 60 per cent.