The proposed Blues Point Road safety improvements have been developed in response to longstanding community concerns about dangerous driving behaviour, excessive vehicle speeds, traffic noise and pedestrian safety throughout the area.
Earlier this month, Mayor Zoë Baker Council convened a roundtable bringing together residents, NSW Police, Transport for NSW and neighbouring councils to discuss the impacts of dangerous driving behaviour and identify solutions to improve safety and amenity in local neighbourhoods.
At the roundtable, Mayor Baker said the proposed improvements respond directly to issues that residents have consistently raised with Council.
"At its core, this issue is about being able to enjoy your home, getting a good night's sleep, and feeling safe in your own neighbourhood," she said.
"For many residents, this is not an occasional disruption. It is something they are living with regularly. A small number of drivers are having a disproportionate impact on thousands of residents who simply want to enjoy peaceful, safe and liveable neighbourhoods."
Key Proposals
Blues Point Road is the main street through McMahons Point, used by drivers and people walking to local shops, public transport, parks and popular waterfront destinations.
The proposed works include a range of traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures that would also support an application to Transport for NSW to reduce speed limits to 40 km/h throughout the McMahons Point peninsula. These include:
- New raised pedestrian crossings at key locations along Blues Point Road, including south of French Street, and south of McManus Street.
- New pedestrian crossings and continuous footpath treatments at the Blues Point Road and Henry Lawson Avenue intersection, providing safer and more accessible connections for people walking.
- Gateway treatments at key entry points to McMahons Point, including continuous footpath treatments at Chuter Street and Thomas Street south of Union Street, and kerb narrowing at Waiwera Street south of Lavender Street, signalling to drivers that they're entering a slower, pedestrian-priority area.
- Traffic calming measures, including speed cushions at several locations along Blues Point Road to help slow drivers down and improve awareness of pedestrians.
- Upgrades to road layouts and intersections, including kerb extensions and intersection narrowing treatments designed to encourage lower vehicle speeds.
- Streetscape and public domain improvements, including landscaping and additional street tree planting, to create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly environment.
- Council is encouraging residents, businesses and visitors to review the proposal and provide feedback during the consultation period.
