Shoppers blast “terrible’ staircases at Westfield
Written by admin on June 9, 2024
Shoppers have blasered “terrible” temporary metal staircases which have popped up at a busy Westfield shopping centre, labelling them a “headache” for wheelchair and pram users.
The temporary staircases, which are still under construction, are being installed in Westfield Eastgardens in Sydney’s southeast, while the centre works to replace six existing travelators over the coming months.
Photos shared to a community Facebook group show the metal staircases and scaffolding connecting levels throughout the centre.
“Just so the community are aware the travelators at Westfield Eastgardens from the ground floor, upto Level 1 (Nike) all the way up to Level 2 (Hoyts) will be replaced with new travelators and in the mean time there will be temporary stairs to use until the new ones have been fixed,” the post reads.
“The stairs are not complete as yet.”
Shoppers can also use three sets of lifts to access retail and car park levels as well as escalators located in the middle of the centre, while the travelators are being constructed.
The photos sparked mixed responses online many slamming the design choice for its accessibility issues.
“It’s going to be shocking.. especially with prams,” one person wrote.
“Such a pain… can’t wait for the redevelopment of Eastgardens. The place needs a full refurbishment!” said another.
“What a terrible idea. What bright spark decided to prevent easy movement with trolleys between floors. It’s going to be a disaster with folks waiting 20mins to get in a lift.”
“Lining up for the lifts behind 100 other trolleys will be fun.”
Some suggested the travaltors could have been replaced one at a time, rather than all at once.
“Won’t be going there for a while then. Will lose so many shoppers,” another added.
Others the traveletors were in dire need of reolacement, despite the temporiy inconvenience.
“Everyone always whinges when they are out of service now Westfield are replacing them with new travelators and people are still whinging!” one person wrote.
“It will be a huge inconvenience but… How else will they fix the issue? I am guilty of complaining about them breaking down all the time so they are now doing something about it. Be satisfied,” said anoher.
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A Westfield Eastgardens spokesperson told news.com,au signage and additional team members will be in centre to support customers.
“We are conducting works at Westfield Eastgardens to replace the travelators on levels 1-4 of the western end of the centre which will take place over the coming months,” the statement reads.
“In the meantime, staircases will be in place to enable customers to travel between levels 1-3.
All other escalators and lifts remain in use.”
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