Janet Wahlquist, Convenor, Transport & Traffic Convenor, from Bulletin 7/2019 September

Separated Cycle Ways

We have made submissions to the City that there need to be separated cycle ways running north and south, and east and west, through Glebe and Forest Lodge. Essentially the City has said it cannot act because Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) does not have the funds for this work. Before the last state election, the Coalition promised that more funding would be provided for cycling infrastructure.

New Fish Markets

The current proposal to relocate the Fish Markets to Bridge Rd opposite Wentworth Park will result in major traffic challenges (including construction traffic). We will need to ensure that proper traffic studies are commissioned as part of the DA process. We will make submissions on the traffic issues when the DA is released. We anticipate that parking being provided at the site and not in the streets will be an issue. Appropriate public transport will need to be provided to the new site.

Forest Lodge School Pedestrian Crossing

There are safety concerns about the corner of the Pyrmont Bridge Rd and Ross St. A meeting was held involving all stakeholders and the RMS undertook to remove some unnecessary signage and replace damaged safety barriers (this has been done). The RMS said they would look into reducing the speed limit from 60km on Bridge Rd and Ross St. The proposal from parents for a pedestrian crossing on Ross St near Charles St and across Charles St was ruled out by the RMS, firstly due to Ross St being four lanes and on Charles St because it would reduce parking.

Shared Foreshore Path

We have tried to persuade the City of Sydney to recognise the problem of speeding and reckless cycling that happens along the shared foreshore path. The path is not suitable for speeding cyclists, who put the safety of pedestrians in jeopardy. The city is very pro-cyclist so has not been prepared to do anything other than occasionally having Rangers there to ask cyclists to slow down.

A public meeting at Leichhardt Town Hall made clear their opposition to the State government’s sell-off of our inner west buses, 2017. (Photo: Jamie Parker’s Facebook page)

Glebe Bus Services

 From 1 July 2018 the 431, 433 and 470 bus services were contracted to a private operator appointed by NSW Transport. They have a contract for seven years, with a review to take place after five years. They have recently advertised a change in timetable and we need members to advise us of any adverse effects from these changes.

Traffic on Glebe Point Rd on Saturday as a result of the Markets

The traffic on Glebe Point Rd on a Saturday is significantly affected by the increased foot traffic attending the markets. We have made representations to the relevant authorities that the markets engage a ‘lollipop’ person to manage the pedestrian traffic in front of the school            .

A sign at the ‘Stop WestCONnex’meeting at Glebe Town Hall on Monday 24 October 2016 (image: Jan Wilson)

WestConnex

The WestConnex Community Reference Group was set up to represent the interests of communities affected by the WestConnex project with the objective of trying to alleviate the impact of WestConnex on those communities. The Glebe Society has a representative on that Committee. Recently a plan has been released for the Rozelle Interchange which involves a series of modifications to the plan accepted by the State Government. There is to be a raised overpass so vehicles can access Victoria Rd and Anzac Bridge avoiding the lights at the intersection of The Crescent and City West link. There is to be a shared pedestrian and cycling bridge from the Crescent over the City West link to Rozelle Rail Yards. Burawan Park, next to Rozelle Bay Light Rail stop, which provides not only a park but also access between Railway Parade, the light Rail and the Crescent for cyclists and pedestrians will disappear. An upgrade to the Crescent, Johnson St, Chapman Rd intersection is proposed to allow for better and greater traffic flow. The current pedestrian crossing across The Crescent to get to Bicentennial Park is to be relocated. Under the new plan, crossing The Crescent will require crossing Johnson St, crossing the left entry road from The Crescent and then crossing The Crescent proper and then crossing Chapman Rd, four roads instead of one. While the extra distance may only be 200 metres the inconvenience of waiting at lights to cross will be significant. Pedestrians are clearly the last priority in this proposal. This plan also prohibits right-hand turns from Johnson St to The Crescent which will disadvantage local traffic. These modifications are now on public exhibition with submissions to be lodged with the State Government by 18 September. The concern for Glebe is the increased traffic that the Rozelle Interchange will bring and inconvenience to local vehicular traffic and pedestrians.