As Transport for NSW
rushes to complete the Redfern Station Southern Concourse, it tried to
hold a quick consultation on a proposal to change the direction of
Little Eveleigh Street. The proposal was outlined
in the newsletter
Road safety and Little Eveleigh Street shared zone operation consultation newsletter (PDF, 466.92 KB).
The problem for TfNSW however was that key information about the
proposal was not disclosed in the consultation and
issues raised in earlier consultations have been ignored. Residents in
Little Eveleigh and Lawson Streets reacted accordingly to both TfNSW and
to Council who is involved in the redirection planning.
In response
Clover Moore wrote to Transport Minister Jo Haylen
asking to TfNSW to meet with residents. In response TfNSW extended the
consultation period until 10 September and provided some additional
information in its
Road safety and Little Eveleigh Street shared zone operation consultation extension newsletter (PDF, 132.4 KB). This flyer provided the following additional information:
-
Will we be able to turn into Ivy Street from Abercrombie Street?
No. The No Right Turn sign is proposed to remain. Vehicles accessing
Little Eveleigh Street from the west will need to detour on local roads
to enter Ivy Street from Abercrombie Street
via a left-hand turn. -
Will the new kiss and ride in Lawson Street result in a loss of parking?
Yes. Up to four restricted parking spaces (2hr) will be permanently
removed for the new east and westbound kiss and ride areas and adjusted
loading zone spaces. -
Will the new traffic island in Wilson Street result in parking loss? Yes.
Four restricted parking spaces will be permanently removed for the new
traffic island and to allow space for cars to U-turn. -
Will vehicles be able to stop along Little Eveleigh Street? No
stopping signs will extend on both sides of the Little Eveleigh Street
shared zone, except for the proposed loading zone. The Wilson Street
shared zone will have No stopping signs on both
sides of the street. - Can we turn left and right out of Little Eveleigh Street? Yes. Vehicles can turn right, left (restricted to passenger vehicles only) or continue straight at Lawson Street.
Residents have raised concerns about the clarifications above.
There is only one way
that vehicles can accessing Little Eveleigh Street from the west via
local roads. That way is via Shepherd Street and Vine Street, which is
very narrow. Traffic would then have to negotiate
a very small roundabout at Abercrombie Street, that larger cars cannot
negotiate in one go. This path has been used by people bypassing
Abercrombie Street after it was closed due to the recent fire.
Alternatively traffic from the west will need to come from
the east via Regent / Gibbons Street and the Lawson Street railway
bridge. Removing the no right turn from east bound traffic on
Abercrombie into Ivy Street, impacts that intersection and potentially
provides a rat run when traffic backs up along Lawson Street.
There is also concern
about the potential loss of parking. One resident has pointed out to
REDWatch that the loss of parking in Lawson Street is likely to be
greater than disclosed, as TfNSW do not seem to have
taken into account that there needs to be a no parking area leading
into the proposed pedestrian crossing to the west of Eveleigh and Little
Eveleigh Streets.
The no stopping along
Little Eveleigh Street is of significant concern to residents who cannot
get deliveries of goods and elderly / disabled people to homes in the
street. TfNSW says this was disclosed in the
initial Environmental Impact Statement for the Southern Concourse.
Resident have welcomed
the ability to exit both east and west from Little Eveleigh Street on to
Lawson Street after earlier being told they would only be able to exit
west.
Residents have arranged for local MP Jenny Leong to visit on Thursday 7 September at 4pm
and listen to resident concerns. Come to the corner of Lawson Street
and Little Eveleigh if you want to be involved in this discussion.