Residents unhappy new Mitcham train station plans don't include extra car parking

A RESIDENTS' association says it is disappointed about plans for the new Mitcham train station. What's got the group upset?

MITCHAM Residents Association says it is disappointed VicRoads' plans for the design of the new Mitcham Railway Station do not include extra car parking.

The roads body delivered information on the project to more than 8500 residents last week, including parking arrangements, bus stop locations, and pedestrian and cyclist movements.

The new premium station at Mitcham will include:

A BUS interchange

A PEDESTRIAN accessway at the end of Station St

A NEW accessway for cars and buses at Simla St

A BICYCLE and walking path along the railway line

But association president Tony Hogg said the group believed feedback given to VicRoads during the community consultation process had been ignored.

"(There is) no concern for current and future commuters nor residents in Mitcham Rd and surrounding side streets, as there is no planned expansion in car parking at the station," Mr Hogg said.

But VicRoads project director Frank DeSantis said the design took into account preliminary investigations and public consultation.

"The community consultation was used to understand how the level crossing currently affects local residents, businesses, motorists and public transport users," Mr DeSantis said.

He said Mitcham station provided the second largest car parking area for any train station across metropolitan Melbourne.

"When complete, the project will retain at least the same number of parking spaces that are currently available.

Construction of the new station will begin later this month and is expected to be completed in late 2014.

Mr DeSantis said the community would have an opportunity to view plans of the new station and discuss the project at two information sessions at the Whitehorse Civic Centre, on June 15, 10am-1pm, and June 17, 3-7pm.