2000 extra car parks at four Melbourne train stations in bid to ease peak-hour congestion

COMMUTERS battling over car parks at four of Melbourne’s busiest outer suburban train stations are about to get a nice surprise. And it’s hoped this $60 million project will also ease peak-hour traffic woes for city workers and take 2000 cars off the freeways.

THOUSANDS of new car parks will be added at four train stations across the city in the bid to ease the morning rush for Melbourne commuters.

As part of a new $60 million package up to 2000 new spaces will be built at Belgrave, Sandown Park, Epping and Craigieburn stations.

Upgrades at other stations will also be considered with the remaining $6.5 million left over after the work.

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Mr Andrews said the move will allow more people to catch trains and remove cars from local streets.

“It’s frustrating to turn up at a station car park in the morning and find it already full,” he said.

“That’s why we’re building thousands of new car spaces to make it easier for people to get where they need to go.”

The Belgrave Station will receive 470 extra spaces on top of the current 160 parks.

Epping will get 74 new spots and Craigburn an extra 745.

The total number of parks at Sandown Park will be upgraded to 545.

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Local member James Merlino said “this is a wonderful announcement”.

The funding will also include upgrades for CCTV, lighting and bike storage at the stations.

As part of the 2018/19 Budget announcement Mr Andrews also confirmed $3 million for the design works on a new tram in Melbourne’s South East.

The 18km line will run between Caulfield and Rowville, providing access to the Monash University in Clayton.

Epping will get 74 new spots and Craigburn an extra 745.

While the total number of parks at Sunbury will be increased to 313 and 545 in Sandown Park.