As ever,
If double-deck trains had been introduced in 1992, there would have been
fewer woes today.
New stations add convenience, but don't add capacity.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria

From Thurs.14.4.11 Melbourne 'Herald Sun'
www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/wests-woes-to-worsen-as-suburb-grows/sto
ry-fn7x8me2-1226038713948

West's woes to worsen with plans for new suburb
A map of the site for a new $1 billion, 4000-home development at Werribee.
Pressure is mounting for another link to Melbourne's west after plans were
revealed for a $1 billion suburb at Werribee.
The 4000-home proposal, on 438ha near the Princes Highway, is expected to
further strain the area's already congested roads.
It is the latest of several major housing projects announced for Melbourne,
including the Bradmill factory site in Yarraville, Fishermans Bend, E-Gate
in West Melbourne and the new suburb of Toolern, near Melton.
RACV general manager public policy Brian Negus said the Werribee
development, proposed by Lend Lease, would generate at least 20,000 extra
trips a day.
The RACV wants the Baillieu Government to build an east-west link from the
Eastern Freeway to the Western Ring Rd.
It would include a tunnel from the Eastern Freeway to CityLink and another
beneath the Maribyrnong River.
"While you really want to maximise the use of public transport the reality
is there are still going to be a lot of trips by cars," Mr Negus said.
"It will really put the pressure on the West Gate Bridge and the West Gate
corridor."
Demographics expert Bernard Salt said Melbourne's west was experiencing
extraordinary growth.
The Wyndham City Council area, which takes in Werribee, is Victoria's
fastest-growing municipality.
"It just builds the case for greater consideration for a whole range of
infrastructure that must be looked at for the west, including roads," Mr
Salt said.
Wyndham Mayor John Menegazzo said there was no doubt traffic was a problem
but the Regional Rail Link, unlikely to be finished until at least 2016,
would help ease transport woes.
The RACV also supports the plan.
Cr Menegazzo said train stations were proposed for Manor Lakes and Tarneit,
with four more earmarked for the area.
"I think that the plans are in place to make sure that we don't have as many
hassles as we do now in terms of public transport and roads," he said.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the Werribee development required
government approval.
A spokeswoman for Roads Minister Terry Mulder said the Government was
concentrating on delivering election promises for roads "first and foremost"
before looking at other potential projects.
Is Melbourne's west ready for a new suburb? Join the debate below