Commute times during the morning peak along one of Sydney's most congested roads have blown out by nine minutes in just 12 months - and it's only going to get worse.
Old Windsor Road/Windsor Road is now so congested that drivers are subjected to an average peak hour speed of 21.8km/h - which is 10 per cent slower than one year ago.
The new figures are a result of a study conducted by The Hills Shire Council into morning commute times between the Gables and Norwest Business Park, one year since a previous study kickstarted Council's Fight for a Fairer Hills Future campaign.
Mayor of The Hills Shire Dr Michelle Byrne said that a $220 million election commitment from the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese one year ago couldn't come soon enough.
"Windsor Road and Old Windsor Road runs through the heart of the fastest growing area in NSW - straddling The Hills Shire and Blacktown LGAs, the two councils with a combined housing target of 45,000 new homes in five years," Mayor Byrne said.
"And while the Prime Minister's pledge one year ago is welcomed, we need the rubber to hit the road on this project urgently.
"The fact is, this road corridor needs billions of dollars to make it fit for purpose to accommodate the incoming residential population, which by 2041 will be around the same size as the current populations of the ACT and Tasmania combined.
"People living in these suburbs are spending more money at the petrol bowser and less time with their families because of inaction on Windsor and Old Windsor Road.
"We've seen a ten per cent average speed decrease along Windsor and Old Windsor Road during the morning peak in just 12 months. What's it going to be like in one year? In three years?
"We're also seeing the Housing Delivery Authority rezoning residential land to employment land, which will mean our residents will be travelling even further for work.
"What's it going to be like when more than 11,000 apartments are built between Kellyville and Bella Vista station? What's it going to be like when Rouse Hill Hospital is built?
"It is absurd in the extreme that it takes longer to get from Gables to Norwest in the morning than it does to get from Mosman to Norwest in the same period."
In June 2025, Council escalated its advocacy by writing directly to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for the urgent release of the promised funding and firm delivery timeframes.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King later responded on the Prime Minister's behalf, reaffirming the Australian Government's funding commitment for Windsor Road and Old Windsor Road. Despite this, the community still has no clarity on when construction will begin.
Windsor Road and Old Windsor Road are among Western Sydney's busiest arterial routes, relied on by thousands of commuters travelling to work, school and essential services.
Small business owner Ankit Shah from Box Hill says he must leave home before 6:30am each morning or risk being stuck in almost an hour of traffic on Windsor Road.
The father of one bought his home in the growing suburb in 2022 and said he was sold a "fairytale", but what he ended up with was a "horror story."
"Traffic has blown out by another 20 minutes in just over a year. As a business owner, I can't afford to be stuck in traffic and miss meetings - time is money," Mr Shah said.
"We don't even have proper public transport. The closest Metro is in Rouse Hill, which means we still have to drive and then struggle to find parking."
"There's so much development happening in and around Box Hill, but the roads keep getting worse. We need the government to fix this, otherwise people will start moving out."
Daily commute times:
- Gables - Norwest - 19.5km
- Departing 7:30am Wed 4 March - 47 minutes
- Departing 7:30am Tues 10 March - 56 minutes
- Departing 7:30am Wed 11 March - 64 minutes
- Departing 7:30am Thurs 19 March - 51 minutes
- Departing 7:30am Thurs 26 March - 50 minutes
Visit fairerhillsfuture.com.au for more information.
