Disabled Parking at Smithfield Interchange

In May 2010, I wrote an article for the Northern Web, a school based publication at Para West Adult Re-entry. I have placed the article on this blog. The topic of this article was around Parkig at Smithfield Interchange.


In June 2011, my partner went to town for an art class outing. As the class was catching the train at a particular time, he drove to Smithfield to park the car. His version of what happened (as he has a disabled parking permit) is as follows:

Parking at Smithfield Interchange

On Wednesday 22nd June 2011, I parked at Smithfield Train station, in order to catch the train into town for a class excursion. While there I noted that people were parking in the Disabled Permit places without parking permits.

My wife contacted Playford Council, who advised that due to 1) the signage not being clear and 2) that the car park is considered private property that they are unable to do anything about it people breaching the parking.

Upon their advise, we contacted Department of Transport, Environment and Infrastructure (DTEI), who advised that it was a council matter due to the car park coming under Council control. We advised them that Council had advised us to talk to them as it was considered a ‘private car park’. DTEI then advised to ring both Services SA and Playford Council regarding the matter.


Upon contacting Services SA, they advised that we needed to ring Adelaide Metro and Playford Council. They have also advised that we put it into writing for the DTEI as well.

My wife rang Playford Council and advised them of above. Playford Council maintain they are not able to do anything due to 1) the signage not being clear and 2) that the car park is considered private property that they are unable to do anything about it people breaching the parking.

Alan has raised this with council via the Disability Discrimination Committee that he is a member off. In addition, the following letter was also written to Michael O’Brien, our local member of parliament, and also Minister for the North (amongst other portfolios)

To Mr. O’Brien


Re Disabled car parking at Smithfield Train Station


I am writing in regard the car parking at Smithfield Train Station. Specifically, the disable car parking at Smithfield Train Station.


This morning, I went to Smithfield Train Station, in order to catch the train into town for a class excursion (I am a student at Para West Adult Re-entry Campus). I am in possession of a disabled car parking permit, due to medical conditions.


Upon arrival, I noticed that, not only was the car park was full, but people had parked in the disabled car parking places without having permits to park in these places.


My wife has spoken to Playford Council on the matter, and they have advised that it was the responsibility of DTEI to enforce the parking, due to 1) it being a private car park, and 2) inadequate signage being displayed they are unable to send inspectors to issue fines.


She contacted DTEI and after being put on hold several times, she was eventually told that it was a council issue. When she explained that she had already been in touch with Playford Council and they had advised that due to it being DTEI land and car park, they advised that she ring Service SA on 132324. After being put on hold for 25 minutes, she has left a number for them to ring her back. They rang back and they advised that it was a council matter. They also advised that we needed to ring Adelaide Metro. They have also advised that we put it into writing for the DTEI as well.


My wife rang Playford Council and advised them of above. Playford Council maintain they are not able to do anything due to 1) the signage not being clear and 2) that the car park is considered private property that they are unable to do anything about it people breaching the parking. From what they told my wife, Playford Council said that if they issued fines, and people challenged them in the courts, the courts would throw the fine out due to the signage not being clear.


I am bringing this to your attention as I live within your electorate as is Smithfield Interchange. Given the increase patronage of Smithfield Interchange over the last several years, this is clearly an issue that needs to be worked on, as a joint venture between Playford Council and the Department of Transport.


There is clearly a need for better signage by those working on the upgrades currently proposed to the train line and with the expected population growth in the area. It is all very well for the two tiers to state the other is at fault, but until they work together and fix it, instead of blaming the other, then people will continue to think they can get away in parking in areas designed for those in need.


Yours

This letter was dutifully sent to the local MP. We received a reply – we are now waiting to see if anything comes out of this. The main thrust of the response was that are additional parking places going into Smikthfield Interchange. I dont deny this - and that raised yet another topic as well. But for the moment, let's sit and wonder how an extra 200 parking places will solve the problem of there being no clear outcome on who excatly is suppose to be policing the disability parking spots at Smithfield Station and who isnt.

Playing Bump ‘em at Smithfield Interchange (Northern Web Article 2010)

I regularly catch the train into town. It is hassle free, as well as environmentally friendly way to get into and out of the city. It also saves the hassle of trying to find and pay for a park in the city. In addition, there are also the health benefits of walking to and from Smithfield train Station. In case you hadn’t guessed, Smithfield Interchange is my local train station. As a university student, it was a great way to get the readings done before getting to class.


One thing that I have noticed in the time I have been using Smithfield Interchange, is that there has been a phenomenal increase in patronage. This is especially true as the area around Smithfield has grown in terms of population and the buses also service the suburban area of Playford Council between Elizabeth Centre and Smithfield all go through, or terminate at, Smithfield Interchange, which increases the use of the Interchange. In the last 15 years I have lived in the area, there have upgrades to Smithfield Interchange. However, I wonder if these are only short term fixes.

In a time when people are being encourages to use public transport, it would make sense to address issues such as the lack of car parking that currently faces people at Smithfield Interchange. It is very rare not to see cars being parked illegally in the car park because the planning and development has not kept pace with the increased use.

It is not just car parking that needs to be addressed either. But the increase in traffic at peak times. There are many people who are dropped off by others to use the interchange. Gaining access to the Interchange during peak times can be a nightmare as people are trying to access the car park to park and others are trying to drop other people off.

It is important to point that that last year, the South Australian Government released a report, called “The 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide”. In this, both Elizabeth Station and Munno Para Station were identified as being in deed of upgrades because of potential increase in use. But how is this helping the stations that are experiencing increased use now and not keeping up with demand?

If the decision makers are serious about addressing this issue, then I challenge them to visit the interchange. Do not just brush it off and say “yes, we are aware of the problem” or “it’s not a priority for us”. Visit the interchange, look at the use and actually address ways of fixing it. Don’t just sweep it under the mat and thin it is going away. It’s not. People will continue to use Smithfield Interchange and the issues of increased use are not going to just go away, especially with the increasing development in the area. If Playford Council and the SA Government want to be seen planning for the future, then they need to address some points now and build them into future plans. Do not think that such things as this are going to go away simply because there are bigger plans in place. Part of looking at the bigger picture is addressing the little pictures that make up the big one. I challenge those with the ability to do something to actually get out there and do it.

By Sarah Jones © 2010