Even though about a100 residents protested near the current
IGA store, backing traffic up all the way to Central Station, the change to Regent Street went
ahead. Now there seems to be agreement that it was a mistake.
Since the change to the traffic flows to Regent Street, it has been more difficult
to operate a business, though there are more signs of hope.
The South Sydney Herald talked to the owners and operators
of one of the furniture shops Retro on Regent – Patti Southern and her mother
Betty Colquhon. The building itself was the home of South Sydney Community Aid
for a period in the mid 1990’s, and the building has been owned by Betty’s
family for most of her life.
Retro on Regent has been around for at least 8 years and
specializes in what they describe in the trade as mid-twentieth century
furniture. Since it opened, there are now two other furniture shops virtually
next door. Patti says the other shops have brought more people into that part
of Regent Street
to buy furniture and there is a high degree of co-operation amongst the shops.
One of the issues that inhibit successful trading, according
to Patti, is the one-way traffic. Customers have commented that it is very
difficult to stop as you come down the street as it is like an expressway.
Leanne Fraser from the Appetite Café next door said, “A
two-way Regent Street
would slow down the traffic and create a village atmosphere”. Both Patti and
Leanne argue it would be good for small business and for locals.
The Redfern Waterloo Authority has been trying to convince
the RTA of the merits of these opinions.
City of Sydney
Councillor, Tony Pooley, pointed out that Crown Street, Surry
Hills was one-way, as part of an RTA experiment, and has been reversed. He says
that shops on Crown Street
have benefited – so why not Regent
Street?
A spokesperson for the City Council made the remark: “The
local community strongly supported returning Regent Street to two-way traffic during
the City of Sydney’s
consultations on the Draft Inner South Local Action Plan. The City is pursuing
a range of strategies to create a thriving community precinct around Redfern
and Regent Street
and will continue to support community calls for this change. The City
understands that the Redfern Waterloo Authority and the RTA met to discuss the
issue. However, the RTA has reportedly confirmed its position of keeping Regent Street
one-way, despite the negative impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety,
residential amenities and area regeneration.
What’s your opinion on the future of Regent Street? email the SSH at editor@ssh.com.au
Source:
South Sydney Herald December 2006