Space to park

By Bridget Cook
COMMUTERS using the Merinda Park railway station will soon be relieved of car parking troubles with the announcement of 350 new car parking spaces this week.
Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula visited the Thompson Road, Cranbourne North, station on Monday to make he announcement.
Works on the car park extension are expected to be completed in 2011.
Mr Pakula said the extension would almost treble its current size, with more than 350 spaces to add to the existing 202 car parks.
“This is great news for local commuters, and it means Merinda Park will have one of the largest station carparks on the metropolitan train network,” Mr Pakula said.
Over the next few months, the Victorian Government will engage with local stakeholders and undertake geotechnical investigations to help further detail designs including the alignment of a new access road to the car park.
The final number of extra spaces is expected to be about 375, with the alignment of the access road determining the exact figure.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley said the increase in spaces would take pressure off the station.
“The upgrade to car parking at this station recognises the needs of our growing suburbs and estates in Casey, and will help to relieve parking pressure at the station,” Ms Graley said.
Ms Graley said that once complete, the fully surfaced carpark would feature CCTV and lighting, making it a safer and better carpark for everyone.
“The decision to upgrade and extend these carparks is in recognition of the booming patronage on Melbourne’s rail network,” she said.
“That is why we’re creating more carparks, as well as ensuring they are safe with appropriate CCTV and lighting, which is great news especially for those who live far from their station.”