One thousand commuters a day will be able to enjoy significant changes to Chester Hill station, including a new lift, stairway, elevated walkway, improved lighting and upgraded canopies, with the station upgrade officially complete.
Originally opened to the public in 1924, Chester Hill was last renovated in 1999. Since then, the station has become far busier, with approximately 1,000 commuters a day using the station, but it was neglected by the previous government.
The first upgrades in almost 30 years will see Chester Hill become the first station on the Sydney Trains network installed with a futuristic modular platform system. The new platform surface reduces the previous platform-to-train height gap, lowering the risk of wheelchairs and prams rolling towards the track.
This innovation prevented a full platform reconstruction, saving an estimated $5 million in additional costs, and around 18 months of extra construction time. The entire project was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget.
Funded through the NSW Government’s $1 billion Safe Accessible Transport (SAT) program, this upgrade is helping make public transport more accessible and convenient for passengers.
Key changes to Chester Hill station include:
- A new lift, stairs and elevated walkway connecting Chester Hill Road to the station platform
- Improved lighting to make the station safer for all commuters
- New stairs installed undercover, as well as improved lighting, upgraded canopies and better weather protection at the station entrance, overbridge and nearby bus stops.
- The southern section of Nugent Park next to the station is now open, making the area more accessible.
- An accessible parking space, an accessible kiss and ride space, additional bike parking and upgrades to the existing bus stops on Chester Hill Road
- A new family accessible toilet, a new unisex ambulant toilet
- New hearing loops to assist people with hearing loss
- Platform levelling, and installation of tactile ground surface indicators to assist passengers who are blind or have low vision
The upgrade to Chester Hill station was delivered with more than 400 cubic metres of concrete poured and 74 tonnes of structural steel installed. The project took around 50,000 work hours and supported approximately 630 jobs.
For more information click here.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“Sydney’s rail network is being modernised and transformed to make stations more accessible, safer and more comfortable for all Sydneysiders.
“We are investing in new technology and innovation to make your everyday commute an easier one. Whether you’re catching the train to work, taking the kids to school or travelling with a mobility aid, these improvements will make journeys safer, more accessible and more comfortable.
“This is about making sure the people of Sydney have safe, accessible transport, no matter where they live.”
Member for Auburn Lynda Voltz said:
“I am delighted that the NSW Labor Government has delivered this important upgrade to Chester Hill Station in its first term, including the long-overdue lift and improved security measures.
“This investment will make a real difference to the everyday lives of local residents, particularly people with disability, older residents and families with young children.
“Everyone deserves to be able to use our public transport network safely and with confidence. These upgrades will make Chester Hill Station safer, more accessible and easier to use, delivering the modern and inclusive transport infrastructure our community deserves.”
