IF the proposed light rail line between Macquarie Park and Parramatta does not go ahead the business district will struggle to attract “highly skilled workers’’, it was claimed at a symposium last week.

Three tiers of government were represented at the discussion which was hosted by Ryde Council and Macquarie University.

It was attended by a variety of people including Dr Michelle Zeibots from UTS, Vaughan Paul from Optus, Bennelong Federal Liberal MP John Alexander, Parramatta Lord Mayor Scott Lloyd, Parrmatta State Liberal MP Jeff Lee, Epping State Liberal MP Damien Tudehope, Ryde Mayor Bill Pickering and Prof Richie Howith from Macquarie University.

All parties agreed the link had to be built and the preferred route was through Carlingford and Epping.

Optus human resources vice president Vaughan Paul said businesses were being affected.

“The current transport options are reaching a critical point,’’ Mr Paul said. “If we don’t resolve this soon, companies like Optus will not be able to attract highly skilled workers to the area any more.”

The symposium was told the light rail could move up to 10,000 people an hour.

Cr Pickering said the project was critical for the business park’s survival.

“Macquarie Park to Parramatta is the only section in the Global Economic Corridor that does not have a current or planned mass-transit service,’’ Cr Pickering said. “Today, we demonstrated how servicing this Global Economic Corridor with adequate and connected transport infrastructure will ensure its continued significant contribution to the State’s economy and reputation as an international city and benefit the wider Sydney region.”

When businesses were asked to identify the key transport issues affecting Macquarie Park, 95% of the respondents indicated that traffic congestion affects their business directly.