Did Labor leave the lifts at Lindfield station out of service for weeks just so they could turn them on for the Minister’s arrival, Liberal candidate for Bradfield, Paul Fletcher asked today?

“I have been through Lindfield station many times in the last few weeks – and each time I have noticed that the lifts down to the platform carried a sign saying they were not in service,” Mr Fletcher said today.

“So was it just a coincidence that the lifts were suddenly turned on this morning – when NSW Labor  Minister for Transport David Campbell appeared at Lindfield station?”

“I dropped in to see what was going on – and was fascinated to see two employees in yellow safety jackets working to turn on one of the lifts.”

“When I asked what was going on, I was told that the lifts had not been ready to commission until this morning.”

“Was this a coincidence?”

“Or was it a case of Labor delaying the lifts being turned on until the day that they could schedule a political announcement at the station?”

“I welcome the fact that the lifts are now operational.  But I have to ask the question: how much earlier could the lifts have been turned on – and how long have users of the station been inconvenienced?”

Mr Fletcher said that he was asking the question at a time when CityRail services have been cut as part of the new timetable which began operating last week.

“North Shore Services have been cut by up to 20 per cent at some stations.”

“Across the system, there are now 300 fewer daily rail services across CityRail than four years ago.”

“I will be campaigning with Barry O’Farrell and Shadow Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian for improved public transport for local residents,” said Mr Fletcher.