A community meeting last week heard that traffic lights are necessary at the new Tempe Bunnings to address the negative traffic impacts on 15 local streets.
Inner West Council commissioned a traffic signal feasibility report in response to strong community feedback and lack of action from both Bunnings and Transport for NSW.
"We have been pressuring Bunnings to improve traffic arrangements at their new Tempe store for close to a year," said Inner West Councillor Mat Howard.
"The lack of action from both Bunnings and TfNSW has been astonishing.
"This new superstore will be the biggest Bunnings in Sydney and literally thousands of extra cars every week will be funnelled into narrow Inner West streets, including right past Tempe Public School.
"We now know for certain that putting traffic lights at the Bunnings Tempe Princes Highway access driveway is absolutely necessary and could very well save lives," said Clr Howard.
"We wrote to the Minister for Transport and Roads seeking approval for these traffic signals almost a year ago, to no avail. Meanwhile Bunnings has escalated the situation by trying to bypass Council, via the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel and the NSW Land and Environment Court. This is why we were forced to commission a feasibility study, which clearly shows that traffic lights are warranted.
"The Minister for Metropolitan Roads and Transport for NSW owe it to our community to do their job, assess the feasibility study and confirm it is the safest option for our community," said Clr Howard.
"At the meeting, residents were crystal clear they want a signalised entry for Tempe Bunnings," said Inner West Councillor Justine Langford.
"It is shocking that Transport for NSW approved a traffic plan for Tempe Bunnings without traffic lights.
"Pedestrians (including school children) and cyclists using the footpath outside Bunnings are at high risk of being wiped out by cars who make a quick right-hand turn across Princes Highway to enter Bunnings.
"Council's own independently commissioned traffic light feasibility study strongly supports the implementation of traffic lights at this site.
"The safety of pedestrians and cyclists must be prioritised.
"Transport for NSW must listen to the concerns of Tempe residents," said Councillor Langford.
