The NSW Government has invested over $200 million towards congestion improvement projects by introducing the Pinch Point Programme.
The Pinch Point Program aims to reduce traffic delays, manage congestion and improve travel times on Sydney’s major roads, particularly during weekday peak periods.
Roadworks were undertaken at the Epping Road/Centennial Avenue Intersection which resulted in a 57 second saving on a typical commute.
When the State Government called for public comment on two initiatives aimed at improving commute times on Centennial Avenue (Clearways and changes to the Epping Road/Centennial Avenue Intersection) Lane Cove residents tried to tell RMS that the problem was the Burns Bay Road/Penrose Avenue Intersection.
https://goo.gl/maps/fLU5LMXba1bNbWtr9
RMS ignored all feedback and their response was to prepare FAQ’s which makes it very clear that the RMS wanted standard clearway hours across the NSW road network and they will not look at “local issues“.
At the May Lane Cove Council meeting, Lane Cove Council resolved to write to Transport for NSW requesting the allocation of funding for the upgrade of the Burns Bay Road / Penrose Street intersection under the NSW Government’s Pinch Point Program.
The Lane Cove Council recommends upgrading the intersection by introducing an additional lane with dual left-turn lanes and one shared through and a right turn lane. These modifications would optimise the operation of the signals and improve the turning path for the left turn from Penrose Street into Burns Bay Road. Currently, there is only one left turn lane from Penrose Street into Burns Bay Road and during peak periods this road experiences extensive traffic congestion.
The Lane Cove Council also resolved to write to our local member, The Hon. Anthony Roberts MP, Member for Lane Cove, requesting his support.
In the Cove also wrote to our local member asking for action to be taken at this intersection. Our local member referred our enquiry to the Minister for Transport whose response can only be described as woefully inadequate – see below.
The Minister for Transport states that Penrose Street is a regional road (which just happens to intersect with a state road) and therefore a Lane Cove Council issue. The Lane Cove Council is trying to get some action from the NSW State Government.
The Minister also kindly points out that community consultation occurred on this project – he does not acknowledge that the community concerns were ignored.
Our local member needs to let the Minister for Transport know that this response is totally inadequate and action is needed.
If you would like to show support of Lane Cove Council’s move to improve this intersection contact our local member the Hon Anthony Roberts here and the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight here.
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