Metro Looks The Poorer For Such A Comparison

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday August 2, 2008

Mr Watkins, if the metro were simply about the future ("Ignore the hysteria, this metro is our best solution", August 1) then why haven't you addressed the core issues in Mr Steer's report?

The travel times are unrealistic, the business case is overly optimistic, the assumption that people will convert is flawed. The north-west needs a real solution (I recommend reading some former Labor policies regarding the extension of the rail line from Epping). The bridge is a poor comparison. It was built based on fairly sound assumptions and as a very long-term investment. The metro is based on poor assumptions, poor cost appreciation and delusional optimism.

Brian Kelly West Pennant Hills

I thought John Watkins may have been drawing the long bow, identifying parallels between the political vision that led to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and his Government's oft-derided plans for a north-west metro. However, given Francis Greenway proposed the bridge about 1815, the government design competition was held in 1900, construction began in 1924 and the bridge opened in 1932, nearly 120 years after it was first proposed, perhaps it's accurate after all.

Matt Sheumack Glebe

John Watkins calls the north-west metro "a civic project for coming generations". How refreshing to finally hear those words from a NSW state government. If the Government had the courage to actually make an investment that would benefit future generations and not be tied only to the next election, that would be something new. If, in each change of government, a commitment was made to invest in one civic project for the benefit of coming generations, what a rich endowment we would be left with and what fond memories of past governments we would have.

Steve Middendorf Fairlight

Comparing the proposed metro to Bradfield's transport network takes the gall of a hollowman. Shame on you, John Watkins.

Marc Hendrickx Berowra Heights

It is drawing a long bow for Mr Watkins to call the north-west metro "visionary" when it was pulled out of the hat under orders from state Treasury. The CityRail north-west line is much closer to something Dr Bradfield would have proposed, as it enhances the existing suburban rail network, just as his underground and electrification schemes did in 1926.

There is nothing integrated about the metro. It is a separate system that will do nothing to relieve CityRail's congestion. It will charge its own sky-high fares, just like AirportLink.

Sooner or later, Mr Iemma and co will come to their senses and return to plan A with the best face-saving excuse they can muster.

Roy Howarth Leichhardt

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home