Wallarobba and nearby residents who use the village’s train platform now have better access since improvements were recently finished.
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A new platform was built in late 2012 but it was hardly any different to the one it was replacing and proved difficult for even the most able bodied person to ascend and descend safely.
Resident Geoff Berry said it was almost impossible for an incapacitated or wheelchair bound person to negotiate without assistance.
“Even if a motorised wheelchair could climb the ramp controlling its momentum upon arrival at that the top would require a very skilled operator due to the restricted size of the platform and the consequences of a wheelchair rolling off the platform or stalling and careering backwards down the ramp could be catastrophic,” he said.
“Pedestrian ramps are required to have an access way with a gradient steeper than 1 in 20, but not steeper than one in 14 in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1428.1—Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements.
“This standard applies to new and replacement ramps and is supported by amongst other entities as the Australian Human Rights Commission.”
The residents kept fighting to have the platform fixed and work began on a new model earlier this year.
State Member for Upper Hunter George Souris was at the new platform on Wednesday morning to see the completed works.
“The NSW Government has delivered a number of improvements at Wallarobba Station to provide better access for customers and make their lives easier,” he said.
“The package of work includes a new ramp to the station platform to improve access for all customers, and a new car space for customers with disability.
“Lighting and a CCTV security camera linked to a centralised monitoring network has also been installed to beef up safety for customers.”