Andrew Hodgins with the fine he received for parking in a no standing zone
By Kelly Yates
A COMMUTER who was forced to park illegally at a railway station has hit boiling point after being slapped with a $110 car parking fine last week.
The daily train traveller says he is frustrated with the lack off parking at Narre Warren Railway Station and that he and many other commuters have to fight every day for a car parking space.
Narre Warren resident Andrew Hodgins parked in a no standing zone and was hit with a ticket by Narre Warren police.
“All the car parking spaces were full. I had nowhere else to park,” he said.
“I wasn’t blocking any traffic. Everyone just parks where they can, whether it’s legal or not.”
Mr Hodgins said more than 25 other vehicles in the car park were issued with tickets on the same day.
“I know I was in the wrong but you’d expect some lenience when there is a lack of parking,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Gerry Hengel said the parking at Narre Warren Railway Station was becoming a bigger problem, with more vehicles being issued fines.
Sen Sgt Hengel said the car park was constantly over crowded and suggested commuters considered using other ways of getting to the station.
Mr Hodgins said commuters had identified a block of land adjacent to the station that would be ideal for parking.
“It would give the station an extra 100 car parks,” Mr Hodgins said.
The council refused to comment on the possibility of turning the vacant land into a car park.
President of the Narre Warren Chamber of Commerce Bob Burns agrees there is a lack of parking at the station and said a multi level car park would be ideal for the train commuters.
“This would improve the security at the station and we could use the space for weekend markets,” he said.
Mr Burns said Narre Warren was a major transport link for City of Casey residents and has written to his ward councillors urging them to assist the local businesses in creating a long term plan for Webb Street in Narre Warren.
“Council is failing the area and residents because nothing has been done to improve the situation at the station,” he said.
Police say they will be patrolling station car parks more heavily in an effort to crack down on the illegal parking.
