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Residents call for more parking at Edmondson Park and Leppington train stations

A lack of parking at Edmondson Park railway station — one of the newest additions on the South West train line — is forcing commuters to park their cars on pavements, nature strips and no stopping zones.

Hoxton Park commuter Peter Sefen says Edmondson Park railway station needs more parking. Picture: Melvyn Knipe
Hoxton Park commuter Peter Sefen says Edmondson Park railway station needs more parking. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

A lack of parking at Edmondson Park railway station — one of the newest additions on the South West train line — is forcing commuters to park their cars on pavements, nature strips and no stopping zones.

The Leader visited the station this week and observed commuters taking desperate measures to get a carpark.

Peter Sefen, 36, was forced to park his car along the main street outside the station, joining at least 70 others who did the same.

The Hoxton Park resident used to catch the train into the city from Liverpool station, but a parking shortage led him to try Glenfield station where he encountered the same problem.

Cars parked on the grass verge at Edmondson Park train station. Picture: Melvyn Knipe
Cars parked on the grass verge at Edmondson Park train station. Picture: Melvyn Knipe
The footpath paving is broken in numerous places due to cars driving up on to the footpath to park illegally. Picture: Melvyn Knipe
The footpath paving is broken in numerous places due to cars driving up on to the footpath to park illegally. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

“I now go to Edmondson Park, so in this case I need to come earlier than I used to leave. Now I have the same problem over here. So I’ve got the same problem at Liverpool train station, Glenfield and Edmondson Park,” Mr Sefen said.

Mikayla, who did not want her surname published, resorted to parking on the pavement after circling the carpark several times.

Asked whether she was afraid of being caught, she said: “Definitely, every day, but hopefully they can understand the situation and hopefully something can be done as soon as possible because this area’s going to be even more crowded.”

Edmondson Park train station has 400 parking spots. Picture: Melvyn Knipe
Edmondson Park train station has 400 parking spots. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

At nearby Leppington train station, commuters said it was a similar story.

“Who designed the parking at Leppington station that means even without the extra houses going in there that are coming in the next few years it has already reached the point of no parking?” asked Jessica Harris on Facebook.

There are 850 car parking spaces at Leppington station and 400 at Edmondson Park, both of which opened last February.

Some commuters have called for multistorey parking. Picture: Melvyn Knipe
Some commuters have called for multistorey parking. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

Both suburbs have been identified by the State Government as priority growth precincts, along with Austral.

The “parking crisis” at train stations across Sydney has prompted the NRMA to propose partnering with a parking operator to help its members lease their unused garages, car ports and driveways near stations.

It has been met with mixed responses with some calling for multistorey parking at the two stations instead.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said the number of spaces allocated at Leppington and Edmondson Park stations was “based on projected demand.”

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/liverpool-leader/residents-call-for-more-parking-at-edmondson-park-and-leppington-train-stations/news-story/6f5d2ae1395f7fe1e3e874211bbbcdb1