TfNSW scraps proposal following community objections
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) will not increase night works from two to four nights a week on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Ramp, following objection by a majority of locals.
TfNSW had proposed to carry out the additional works from 6pm to 7am (usually Monday to Thursday) for two consecutive weeks, followed by one week off between February and July, with no more than 12 nights a month. This would have reduced the overall construction time by three months.
Transport presented the idea to local residents and businesses in January through a ‘have your say’ survey.
“According to our survey feedback, residents and businesses opposed the accelerated program,” a spokesperson for TfNSW told NL. “As a result, night work will follow the previously approved schedule.
“Transport was never going to proceed without the support of impacted community members.”
North Sydney Council had planned to discuss the TfNSW proposal for additional night work at its meeting in February. Liberal councillors Efi Carr and Jessica Keen had put forward a notice of motion urging council to recognise the extra burden on the quality of life and wellbeing of Milsons Point residents on top of the disruption already caused by the Warringah Freeway Upgrade.
The councillors suggested that the Cycleway had sustained community opposition due to environmental degradation concerns, reduced parkland, and increased traffic congestion, and that the TfNSW consultation process was ‘flawed.’
“Their flyer states that a non-response will be treated as a ‘no objection,’ a fundamentally flawed and manipulative tactic designed to elicit apparent agreement with the proposed works,” the motion stated.
However, the motion was then withdrawn from the agenda following TfNSW’s announcement.
Cr Keen told NL: “I’m delighted that TfNSW listened to the community and chose not to extend the night work.”
TfNSW said the new bike ramp would mean cyclists would not have to carry their bikes up 55 steps, making the route more accessible for riders of all ages and abilities. It said the project had undergone extensive consultation and approvals to allow work to occur a maximum of two nights a week (capped at six per month), which was due to restart in February. No work occurs on Sundays or public holidays.