A potential “death trap” is being created for commuters and emergency service workers in an attempt to save $100 million as part of the Sydney Metro’s train line construction, a union has claimed.
Australian fire safety standards call for emergency exits be 240m apart in tunnels to ensure safe exit out in case of an emergency, but Sydney Metro are trying to make those exits 500m apart to save $100 million, said the Fire Brigade Employees Union (FBEU).
But the move would deadly if an emergency situation occurred, such as a fire or terror attack, and the FBEU are calling on the state government to compel Sydney Metro to comply with standards and protect commuters.
Earlier this week, Sydney commuters faced lengthy delays as metro lines were unexpectedly impacted, with hundreds of passengers being held “hostage” as power outages caused chaos.
FBEU state secretary Leighton Drury said commuters trapped in sweltering weather during the power outage showed the danger was “real and present”.
“Imagine being stuck inside a tunnel during a fire event, or after an explosion and trying in a smoke-filled tunnel to make your way hundreds of metres to a safe exit,” he said.
“We need exits to be visible and easy to access in a critical emergency situation or lives will be in real jeopardy.
“Sydney Metro needs to stop looking to cut corners and protect people’s lives, not look to save themselves $100 million.
“This is a project for the people that is meant to last 100 years. We need the state government to compel Sydney Metro to abide by the law and protect the people of Sydney and NSW.”
Sydney Metro is trying to have the 500m European standard introduced, according to the FBEU, but it is outdated and totally inadequate in an emergency situation.
The FBEU said the standards were developed decades ago before the threat of fires initiated from lithium batteries or terror attacks, adding that Sydney Metro would need to reapply to amend the design.
“As it stands, the fire brigade cannot guarantee a response to an emergency in Sydney metro rail projects,” Mr Drury added.
A Sydney Metro spokesperson said Sydney Metro continues to work with stakeholders including Fire and Rescue NSW regarding changes to cross-passages.
“Both agencies have been collaborating over the proposal and Sydney Metro will continue to engage on reaching an optimal solution that addresses project requirements and the operational needs of Fire and Rescue NSW,” they said.
“A holistic safety assessment including the construction and operation phases of metro projects found that modern metro railway design, incorporating spacing of up to 500m between cross-passages, is the global standard.
“Other modern rail projects such as Metronet in WA have cross passages spaced at up to 500m, and international projects such as Crossrail in the UK also have cross passages spaced at up to 500m.”
Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project, which includes the operational Metro North West Line and three projects under construction.
By 2030, Sydney will have a network of four metro lines, 46 stations and 113km of new metro rail.
The FBEU is meeting with Sydney Metro on Thursday to discuss the issue and may hold a demonstration out the front of Sydney Metro’s offices in George Street if a satisfactory outcome is not reached.
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