Bus stop on hold

The area for the TransWA road coach is on Anzac Avenue, next to the existing train station. The bus service is expected to start on December 31.

Shire of Toodyay chief executive Stan Scott said that although the council was against the Avonlink’s closure, the reasons for the deferral had more to do with the area’s location and lack of a parking bay for the disabled.

Anzac Avenue is also part of the Toodyay heavy haulage route bypass and there was concern expressed by councillors about the impact of truck movements on the new service.

Mr Scott said the item would be discussed at next month’s council meeting.

‘We are not sure it is the best area for the set-down area to go. Another possibility is in front of the visitor centre,’ Mr Scott said.

‘We are still fighting the good fight against the shut-down of the Avonlink.

‘The community has rallied behind the cause of keeping the Avonlink service, but we don’t want to end up with no service at all.’

Mr Scott said the proposal did not include a parking bay for the disabled, which would need to be included.

A representative from the PTA told the council there was no requirement for a new bay to be provided because there was no ACROD bay for the train station.

‘We need to discuss it with the PTA,’ Mr Scott said.

A proposed access ramp would provide universal access from the existing train station to the road coach set-down area.