Issue - decisions

X125413.012

Recommendation

(A)      It is recommended that the Forum review the change of One-Way Traffic Direction in Adelaide Place, Surry Hills, between Devonshire Street and Adelaide Street from one-way northbound to one-way southbound.

(B)      It is recommended that the Forum note that the proposal to reopen Holt Street at Devonshire Street to traffic will not proceed, as feedback received during community consultation indicated that objections to the proposal significantly outweighed support.

Forum Members for this Item

Advice

The Forum raised no issues to the proposal for this item and noted the following concerns raised by a resident:

·         Concerns that the change will increase traffic on Steele Street.

·         Noted that small projects can have impacts for local residents.

·         Need for improvement works on Steele Street.

·         Requested information on how impacts would be monitored

·         Potential reopening of Waterloo Street as an alternative route.

Council officers advised that:

·         Traffic modelling indicates Steele Street has capacity to accommodate expected traffic.

·         Pre-implementation traffic counts have been undertaken and post-implementation counts will be undertaken to assess any impacts.

·         Closure of Waterloo Street had previously been assessed and was expected to attract similar community opposition.

·         Adelaide Place changes are intended to improve pedestrian safety.

The City confirmed there is no parking loss proposed.

Transport for NSW noted that the one-way arrangement is contingent on vehicles not crossing the light rail tracks on Devonshire Street.

Background

The CBD and South East Light Rail project implemented by Transport for NSW included the closure of Holt Street and Waterloo Street at their intersections with Devonshire Street.

Following the introduction of these closures in 2019, residents reported an increase in car and truck movements on the narrow Steel Street and Adelaide Place, as well as broader concerns about traffic in the area.

During consultation on the Surry Hills to Central Quietway project (the Quietway), residents expressed concerns that the proposed conversion of Cooper Street to one-way operation could further increase traffic impacts on surrounding local streets.

In response to the community concerns, Council endorsed, subject to community consultation, proposals to:

(a)       re-open Holt Street at Devonshire Street to northbound vehicle traffic as a shared zone; and

(b)       change Adelaide Place between Devonshire Street and Adelaide Street from one-way northbound to one-way southbound.