Please Make a Submission Today to Modification to Plans for the Crescent Annandale (submissions close 13 May 2020)

There are many problems with this latest proposal from Transport NSW for the Crescent  Annandale

The increase surface roads will bring more traffic to the Crescent and Johnston Street Annandale. This will cut Annandale Residents off from the Foreshore and the ANZAC bridge cycle route into the city. With so little open space in the Inner West, connectivity is critically important to linking our open space together. 

-the revised plans of The Crescent overpass have removed a vital proposed pedestrian and cycle “horseshoe bridge” that crosses the City West link

-the road crescent road overpass (flyover).

The importance of being able to access and enjoy outdoor spaces has been especially evident during the COVID lockdown. We need to be increasing the connectivity of open space to make the most of this precious resource. The visual impact of the pedestrian horseshoe bridge is minor in comparison to the impact of the proposed road overpass.  

WestConnex - M4-M5 Link MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links Constructing a grade separated vehicular overpass comprising a two-lane east-bound flyover separating the at-grade intersection at The Crescent and City West Link and relocation of the Rozelle Rail Yard Pedestrian and Cycling Green Link.

Application Number SSI-7485-Mod-2
Assessment Type SSI Modifications Development Type Road transport facilities
Exhibition Start 29/04/2020 Exhibition End 13/05/2020
More information and make submissions at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/16516

The latest proposal will force people on foot, bicycles, with prams, dogs and children to cross a wide, busy road which: 

• ·         Will see all pedestrians, dog walkers and cyclists crammed into a tiny space on the corner of Johnston Street and The Crescent as they wait to cross.
• ·         Forces everybody to wait up to 90 seconds for the light change – with everyone bunching up and not able to spread out.
• ·         Means that you need to cross a busy six-lane road rather than seamlessly and safely going up and over a pedestrian bridge.
• ·         Makes it very difficult to physically distance yourself from other pedestrians.

We would also like Transport for NSW to make improvements to the connection between Railway Parade and Rozelle Bay.  Mums with prams, kids on bikes and the elderly who want to use a level connection to the Glebe foreshore, will now need to cross three traffic lights via the City West link.

We want Transport for NSW to remove the down-ramp beside the mural and reinstate the pedestrian footpath that provides a direct link to the Bay. The Contractor appears to have started constructing this ramp - even claiming it is part of the approved EIS.

Other comments to make in your submission:

Please take 10 minutes to write a submission objecting to the loss of pedestrian connectivity at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/16516

Your submission only needs to be short and personal covering all or any or the following points:

1.Thank them for taking onboard community comment

2. Note The Inner-West already has very little open space compared to other Sydney districts and connectivity is critical to improving this

3.The horseshoe bridge shared-user path should be reinstated as a park-to-park connection

4.The bridge can be designed to create an attractive urban design element

5.The bridge can be used to provide a lookout for users providing attractive vistas of Rozelle Bay

6.Remove the down-ramp to the green bridge so that an ‘at grade’ (bay level) wheelchair-accessible pedestrian path can be put in its place.

7.Move the road overpass to the centre lane. This provides more space for the pedestrian path. It also makes the vehicle journey more logical as vehicles will naturally get into the right lane to turn right, not the left lane.

8.Provide more space for passengers to wait and alight buses without conflicting with cyclists, pedestrians, joggers, dogs and prams on this narrow shared path and better connection to light rail

9. how this proposal will impact you, your family and your neighbourhood the better.

10. The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale

11. This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

12. An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area. The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

13. There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard

14. The people’s mural will be obscured The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.

Remember – you don’t have to be an expert to make a submission! The more detail you include about how this proposal will impact you, your family and your neighbourhood the better.

WestConnex - M4-M5 Link MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links Constructing a grade separated vehicular overpass comprising a two-lane east-bound flyover separating the at-grade intersection at The Crescent and City West Link and relocation of the Rozelle Rail Yard Pedestrian and Cycling Green Link.

Application Number SSI-7485-Mod-2
Assessment Type SSI Modifications Development Type Road transport facilities
Exhibition Start 29/04/2020 Exhibition End 13/05/2020
More information and make submissions at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/16516