AN unsealed section of the Ballarat Train Station car park will close for more than two weeks, leaving some commuters already struggling to find a park with an even bigger problem.
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Coaches will use the parking area while they replace trains during a ramp-up of the Regional Rail Link Project, however, in better news for commuters, large pot-holes that cover the area and are a constant complaint from regular commuters, will be fixed during this time.
V/Line spokesperson Colin Tyrus said V/Line would be erecting signs to advise commuters later this week that the area would be used as coach parking and a turning bay when trains shut down for the period.
Coaches will replace Ballarat train services from June 28 to July 15.
“Before it is used for the coaches, we will be getting a contractor to put down some crushed rock to fix the pot-holes,” Mr Tyrus said.
This is expected to be one of the last periods of coach services replacements as the Regional Rail Link Project nears completion.
The area is not a formal car park, is unsealed and has no clear lines as to where to park.
However, when The Courier visited the area yesterday, it was full with more than 70 vehicles.
Regular commuter Anne Fedorowytsch said it would be difficult to find somewhere else to park.
“A couple of months ago they had it closed. It is difficult,” she said.
“Maybe they could lay off on the time restrictions for parking.”
Ms Fedorowytsch works later in the day, meaning it can be even more difficult to find a park with many of them taken once the early morning trains depart the city.
“All the early people park in the parks surrounding the station and on the adjoining streets,” she said. “You don’t want to park miles away.”
However, she did applaud the effort to fix the large holes and added she was hoping lighting might be installed in the area to help increase safety.
“My concerns are predominately the surfacing of the car park. The lighting in the car park is really poor as well. Sometimes you don’t feel very safe walking to your car at night,” she said.
“My fear is getting bogged, so I tend to put my peddle down and speed through them.”
Trains will continue to operate between Ballarat and Ararat during this period.
matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au
