Light rail trams tested outside Prince of Wales Hospital

The first tram has taken to the tracks outside the Randwick hospital and education precinct as part of vehicle testing along the new light rail line.

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The first tram has taken to the tracks outside the Randwick hospital and education precinct as part of vehicle testing along the new light rail line.

Prince of Wales Hospital representatives, Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Coogee state Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith boarded a red and white tram last Friday as it snaked its way from the Randwick Stabling Yard to the new Randwick light rail terminus in the High St.

The $2.1 billion project was originally meant to be delivered by early this year, but has been plagued by delays, costs blowouts and legal challenges between the State Government and subcontractors.

Mr Constance said regular night-time tram testing would continue in coming weeks in preparation for the expected May 2020 completion date.

“For the first time since the last trams ran through Randwick almost 60 years ago, doctors, nurses and medical professionals will see light rail vehicles in motion right outside their workplace,” Mr Constance said.

Mr Notley-Smith said a safety campaign would be launched to encourage residents and workers to be mindful of trams moving along the new tracks.

Coogee state Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith with Transport Minister Andrew Constance at the Randwick stabling yard.

“We know many medical professionals work shift hours and more generally, residents will need to become more familiar with trams in their neighbourhood,” he said.

Night testing in Surry Hills will also start soon, followed by daytime testing along Anzac Parade to Lang Rd, Moore Park.

Acciona Moore Park Area manager Earl Alcon in the light rail’s Moore Park Tunnel. Picture: John Appleyard

GOVERNMENT CONSIDER CHANGES TO RAIL STOP

The State Government is investigating whether a new light stop in Randwick will disrupt access to the Sydney Children’s Hospital — one year out from the project’s planned completion date.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard launched a review last week after seniors doctors at the hospital raised concerns the High St rail stop will delay emergency vehicles at the hospital’s emergency department.

The light rail line runs along High St — outside the entrance to the emergency department — and has resulted in sections of the street being one-way and run in different directions.

Doctors are concerned about access issues with High St being one way outside the Sydney Children's Hospital emergency department due to the light rail. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Mr Hazzard said a review by Health Infrastructure would look at potential variations to the design of the emergency department or “further infrastructure”.

“(The stop) might present a difficulty for 30 seconds to two minutes but that’s a long time when you’re worried about your child,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Doctors at the hospital have discussed with me that there might need to be some changes to the children’s emergency department because of access issues. Government and doctors agree the issue needs to be addressed.”

Sydney Children’s Hospital emergency department with the light rail work at the entrance. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Health Infrastructure first flagged concerns about the stop during consultation on the project in 2014.

In its submission, the department has recommended “alternative options to address operational impacts along High St for the emergency pick-up/drop-off, ambulance access and parking bay”.

On Friday, Transport Minister Andrew Constance did not rule out infrastructure changes to the new stop.

“There’s always been concerns around access to the hospital — we have made changes along the way, its import we continue to do that,” he said.

The review comes as light rail vehicle tests along the tracks started last week.