Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre manager Lee Watts said she was pleased to receive advice from the State Government that the centre’s bid for funding under the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme had been approved.

“A concrete ramp to enable better access from trains to buses, especially for people with disabilities and the frail aged, will be installed at the railway station, and a much-needed bus shelter will be built at the intersection of Gundy Rd and Bhima Drive in Scone,” Mrs Watts said.

Earlier this year, the Neighbourhood Centre secured funding to construct bus shelters at Kookaburra Ave in Scone and at the corner of Macqueen St and the New England Highway in Aberdeen.

“Wherever possible we try to act on issues raised by community members by applying for grant funding when opportunities arise and this is a great outcome – it will mean easier and safer access for people and it will mean that those who are less able will not have to rely on outside assistance to get from the train to the bus when necessary,” Mrs Watts said.

In other news, Mrs Watts said a petition to extend the CityRail morning train service to include Scone had garnered solid support from community members. The Neighbourhood Centre is lobbying to have the 10.10am service from Muswellbrook extended to Scone and Aberdeen from Monday to Friday.

Petitions are available at the Neighbourhood Centre, Scone Newsagency, Scone Chemist and at the Aberdeen Information Centre and Barton’s Newsagency in Aberdeen.

Mrs Watts said the extended service would particularly benefit seniors with medical appointments and parents with young children and would avoid people having to catch a 6am CityRail train, returning at 6pm. Mrs Watts said a convenient train service could result in fewer people using cars.

“If you would use this train, please sign the petition,” Mrs Watts said. She added that the issue would be reviewed early next year and the petition would be forwarded to CityRail as evidence of the need for the extended service.