He confirmed on Wednesday that Spanish subcontractor Acciona, which is overseeing the construction of the CBD light rail, would not be involved in the Parramatta project. "George Street was delayed because of the inaction of Acciona," he told reporters. "We will not have this problem here." The route of the Parramatta light rail. Credit:NSW Government Mr Constance said businesses affected by the project, which is due to be completed in 2023, would not be disrupted for the full five- year construction phase.

He said disruptions would last for "months not years". Premier Gladys Berejiklian promised to closely monitor the project and would make sure businesses do not face the same disruption that hit businesses in the CBD, some of which have reportedly had to close down. She would not say, however, whether compensation will be offered to affected businesses in Parramatta. "We know some (Sydney businesses) are struggling and we will make sure that in Parramatta we will do everything we can to support all parts of the community during the construction process," she said. Restaurant 317 owner, Pierre Sande, in front of his restaurant on Church St, Parramatta. Credit:Wolter Peeters

She insisted Parramatta's popular outdoor dining area, known as "Eat Street", would become an "even better" precinct because of the increased foot traffic the light rail was expected to bring. Business owners along the popular strip previously told the Herald they feared the construction of the light rail would threaten the survival of their businesses. Restaurant 317 owner Pierre Sande said the light rail construction was likely to be "very damaging" for restaurants and cafe owners along Church Street. Stage 1 of the Parramatta light rail project has been given planning approval. Credit:NSW Government "There is going to be noise and dust. Why would people come to Church Street Parramatta if there is a lot of disruption happening?" he asked.

Much of Eat Street is just a lane in each direction, bordered by hedges that separate passing traffic from the outdoor dining areas. Volcanoes Steakhouse owner Gamal Halim said business owners wanted to avoid a repeat of the disruption from the light rail construction in central Sydney. Loading "A lot of businesses in the CBD went down because of the light rail – we are wanting to avoid the same thing happening here because Church Street is booming," he said. About 40 per cent of his restaurant's business is from people who do not book but walk in off the street.

On the other side of Eat Street, Bondi Pizza manager Isaac Bell said the construction would have a "severe impact" on businesses along the popular strip. "A lot of walk-in customers are going to disappear. The outdoor dining is hugely important," he said. "There are businesses on the strip that only get foot traffic and a reduction is probably going to kill them off." In the CBD, the government is fighting Spanish construction giant Acciona in the NSW Supreme Court. Acciona will seek orders from the court to dismiss a motion by the state's lead transport agency to strike out the Spanish company's $1.2 billion claim for costs and damages against the state. Acciona has accused Transport for NSW of misleading or deceptive conduct over the extent of the utilities buried beneath the route of the line, prior to signing a contract in 2014.

Queensland-based VAC Group has also launched legal proceedings and is seeking more than $4 million - plus damages - from the government, which it has accused of misleading and deceptive conduct. The 12-kilometre light rail project from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kensington in the city's south-east has already been dogged by cost blowouts and repeated delays, which has infuriated businesses and residents along the route of the line. Construction of the line is running a year late, and is not expected to be completed until March 2020. NSW Labor leader Luke Foley slammed Premier Gladys Berejiklian for "boasting" about the Parramatta project given the scandal surrounding Sydney light rail. "She can't tell us when the Sydney light rail project of hers will ever be finished, it is running about two years behind schedule, and yet she has got the gall to get up and boast that she is going to deliver one in Parramatta," Mr Foley told reporters. A final business case for the second stage of the project, which connects Parramatta CBD to Ermington, Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park, is due to be completed by the end of the year.