Region. High-speed rail link to Penrith 'killed'

A $2 billion proposal put forward by a private consortium, Western FastRail, of a high-speed rail link from the Sydney CBD to Penrith has been “killed” by the NSW Government’s transport co-ordinator, Professor David Richmond, according to The Daily Telegraph. A Penrith Council report said the Ministry of Transport was looking at the feasibility of a West Metro underground link between Sydney and Parramatta but not extending it above ground to Penrith. The paper understands that Professor Richmond opposes the extension as it relies on the outdated CityRail network. The link could halve travel times for up to one million residents west of Parramatta. The paper editorialises: “Instead of coming up with reasons why a fast train to Penrith can’t work, the Government should be examining ways to make it work