Little Eveleigh / Lawson / Ivy / Wilson Streets traffic & parking changes – feedback until Sunday 10 Sept

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.