2026/251971
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Forum review the installation of the following traffic treatments and parking changes in Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, between Craigend Street and Burton Street:
(A) reduce Victoria Streets’ existing 2 traffic lanes to one lane mid-block;
(B) removal of the left turn slip lane from Craigend Street into Victoria Street, note the dedicated left turn lane on Craigend Street is being retained;
(C) a new two-way separated cycleway on the eastern side of Victoria Street;
(D) shared paths on the east side of Victoria Street at the intersections with Craigend Street and with Burton Street;
(E) footpath widening, kerb upgrades and pedestrian ramp upgrades to improve accessibility;
(F) raise the intersection of Surrey Street and Victoria Street, upgrading the raised pedestrian crossing and providing a new wombat crossing over Surrey Street;
(G) relocate the bus stop on Victoria Street near Liverpool Street south and convert it to an ‘in-lane’ bus stop;
(H) install a continuous footpath treatment on Victoria Street at Hayden Place; and
(I) parking changes as shown in the attached plan and summarised below.
Forum Members for this Item
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City of Sydney |
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Transport for NSW |
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NSW Police – |
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Representative for the Member for |
Advice
The Forum raised no issues to the proposal for this item and
noted the following comments:
The resident who had raised concerns was
unable to attend the meeting. City staff presented a slide deck to address the
concerns raised and the measures proposed to address them. Key discussion
points included:
·
Existing congestion already experienced along
Victoria Street.
·
Available road space is constrained and widening
the road is not feasible.
·
The project will increase transport options for people
travelling on the corridor by providing a dedicated cycling facility and
supporting more efficient movement of people along the corridor.
·
Emergency vehicles will be able to use the
cycleway.
·
Extensive consultation has been undertaken.
Kings Cross PAC provided the following feedback:
·
Concerns raised regarding connections to William
Street and adjacent shared path facilities. Existing complaints received about
people riding on footpaths.
·
Requested further consideration of project
connections.
·
Requested congestion concerns be noted,
including traffic queues extending between Oxford Street and Bourke Street.
·
Noted emergency services travel frequently to St
Vincent's Hospital and may utilise the cycleway.
TfNSW noted:
·
Queuing on Victoria Street is expected.
·
Limited network interventions are available.
·
No Stopping changes could potentially assist
intersection operations.
·
Travel behaviour may change over time as
motorists select alternative routes.
Council officers advised:
·
Traffic modelling indicates some increase in
delays, but intersections would continue to operate within acceptable levels of
service.
·
Cycleway design accommodates emergency vehicle
movements, including potential use of the cycleway by fire and emergency
vehicles.
·
The project forms part of the City's strategic
cycling network and provides safer access to local businesses and destinations.
·
Staff acknowledged queueing impacts would be
monitored following implementation.
Background
The City of Sydney proposes to convert the two existing
traffic lanes on Victoria Street to one lane, which will create safe spaces for
people walking and riding, help local businesses, and make the area greener.
The community was initially consulted in September 2025
and the project was approved by Council resolution on 23 February 2026. As the
design has progressed, additional community consultation was undertaken for
feedback on the specific traffic treatments and parking changes included in the
project. Note that changes to signalised intersections are subject to approval
by Transport for New South Wales.