The replacement of the iconic wooden escalators in Sydney’s Wynyard station with modern metal machines is complete, in a move welcomed not only by Sydney coordinator general Marg Prendergast, but by the guide dog community, too.
Wynyard’s York Street entrance was reopened to customers this week, following an upgrade to improve safety and accessibility, including the replacement of the site’s wooden escalators and the construction of a lift.
Prendergast said the station upgrade prioritised safety and accessibility as part of a broader plan to improve transport connections and make it easier to travel in and out of the CBD.
“The new escalators not only fit with the modern new look of the newly upgraded Wynyard Station, they are safer, more reliable and reduce the cost of maintenance,” she said/
“With the York Street entrance open, customers now have another convenient option to access one of Sydney’s busiest transport interchanges.”
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT welcomed the completion of the escalator replacement, saying the old wooden machines presented safety concerns for people who are vision impaired, and their dogs.
“Safe and reliable public transport including railways and surrounding infrastructure is essential for people who are blind or vision impaired, as it is the primary mode of travel for accessing education, employment, and their community,” Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s community education and access advisor Jennifer Moon said.
“We appreciate that Transport for NSW has recognised and acted upon the risk that the wooden escalators posed to the safety of Guide Dogs and their handlers and are pleased that their modern replacement will lead to a safer and more accessible travel experience for everyone.”
Transport for NSW is arranging a sculpture to be built near the York Street entrance, designed to recognise and preserve the heritage of the old wooden escalators. The sculpture will be comprised of the treads from the original escalators.