In what’s looming as a case of deja vu, state MP Tim Owen has been forced into an embarrassing backdown on his plans for the Newcastle rail line.
A partyroom fight has prevented Mr Owen from announcing the state’s government’s preferred option of cutting the line at Hamilton, and it appears money is at the centre of the spat.
If the tram network still existed, imagine how much more convenient, user-friendly and available public transport would be. Imagine how many more people would use public transport, thereby reducing traffic congestion and the need for cars and contentious fuel consumption. Each time we trash a public asset, we do damage to our Novocastrian Community.
At Helene See, yes but the tram network didn’t invade this vital heavy rail line link that provides a direct link for Newcastle CBD. Now sure, in it’s early steam days, the tram line had two connections, near Newcastle & Islington, but those trams had suitable wheels for the connection, and didn’t prevent the trains from running.