Only four days into construction and Bayswater residents already struggling

A new train line construction has only been underway for four days but Bayswater residents are already reporting they are unhappy and exhausted.

Nick and Kate Suess are a retired couple living in Bayswater and despite being 200 metres from the train station they are still finding it difficult to even sleep due to the construction.

The Midland and Airport train lines both closed on Friday March 31st for building to start on the new Bayswater station and to connect the new Morley-Ellenbrook line.

“We were told there would be ‘minimal’ disruption to our lives,” Ms Suess said.

“There has been very little evidence of proper project management, and absolutely zero concern shown for the local population, who have been treated as collateral damage every step along the way.”

Mr Suess said he’s been appalled.

“I am a professional engineer; noise, dust, and disruption have been appalling and absolutely unacceptable in any sort of civilised 21st century society,” he said.

“We just had two almost totally sleepless nights over the weekend, when heavy trucks were pretty much running in convoy along our street.

“It has been a total disgrace.”

Single mum and Bayswater resident Krystal Martin is also struggling.

“I am a single mum of four children, all five years old and under,” Ms Martin said.

“There is 24/7 works happening out the front of my unit and I have had hardly any sleep since the work started.

“The dust has made it hard to breath and the kids can’t play outside.

“It’s affecting the mental state of my whole family, sleep depression, stress, and my children are scared and won’t sleep in their own room.

“We are always running late due to the road closures, I can’t turn left onto Coode Street to get to school or appointments because of the backup of traffic.”

Member for Maylands Lisa Baker MLA has already been notified of the abundance of noise and vibrations complaints from residents after only four days.

“I’ve had three connections made to me through email. I try and monitor social media the best way I can, but you can imagine that it’s pretty prolific on social media networks, so it’s hard to be across all of them,” Ms Baker said.

Ms Baker said there is respite available for the residents living in that high impact area, however, she also said that she knows the communication has not been as good as it should be “at present.”

“I’m really aware that there will be a lot of disruption and inconvenience to the people who are living down Railway and Whatley Crescent.”

She also said that residents are entitled to “up to $3,000 worth of respite care accommodation grants so they can go and stay somewhere else.”

“It’s not going to solve the problem at all in the short term, but it gives a little bit of relief in the short term.”

A request for respite can be made through info@metronet.wa.gov.au