Future of shared space up in air
The use as Dee Why as a ‘shared space’ with local businesses could be in doubt unless Northern Beaches Council obtains funding for permanent infrastructure.
Councillors voted nine in favour and four against at the June meeting to retain The Strand’s one-way system after a two-year trial, and to seek grant funding to instal permanent infrastructure. The Strand has been one-way for vehicles in a two-year trial which has seen the expansion of outdoor dining areas and a bike lane to allow for more pedestrian movement along the popular beach-front strip.
However, it received 910 submissions on the trial, with 28 per cent in support of permanent changes and 36 per cent against. Half of all respondents preferred a return to the two-way system and the bike lane removed. Concerns were expressed by the community about extra traffic, noise and pollution on local streets, pedestrian safety and access issues for residents.
Council noted in its motion the ‘impacts of the changes on residents in adjoining streets’.
Councillors Vincent De Luca, Bianca Crvelin and Karina Page, will submit a rescission motion to void the council’s decision at its next meeting on 22 August.
Mr De Luca said rate payers would be forced to pay $2.5 to $3 million dollars for the permanent infrastructure, currently not in the council budgeted. “Other capital works projects will have to be cut.”
Mr De Luca added that safety issues were at stake and that it was not unusual to see vehicles driving up The Strand the wrong way. “It’s quite common. They either miss the sign or ignore it.
“We cannot keep it because it’s caused so much chaos, and while minor works have been done in adjoining streets, pedestrian safety is still a major issue.”
Council said in a statement to Peninsula Living that it was aware of a handful of traffic incidents, but after conducting a full risk assessment and traffic studies, it considered that there was no increased safety risk to pedestrians and motorists. “Suitable traffic controls are in place to restrict access to vehicles travelling in the wrong direction.”
A council spokesperson told Peninsula Living that no final decisions had been made regarding the success of the trial.