(Media Release, Wed 14 October 2020)

The NSW Government will provide more than $7.63 million in grants to assist the City of Sydney Council and Woollahra Council in delivering new active transport links, including:

• A separated cycleway along Pitt Street between King Street and Alfred Street that balances the needs of people walking and cycling with vehicle access to properties in Pitt Street
• Improvements for people walking and riding at the intersection of Lang Road and Driver Avenue
• A pedestrian link to connect the new, yet to be constructed, Southern Concourse at Redfern Station with new student and low-cost housing in Gibbons Street and Regent Street
• A Pedestrian Shared Zone at Gurner Lane, Paddington.  With Glemnmore Road Public School nearby, Gurner Lane provides pedestrian access for local traffic and pedestrians including a large number of school children. The project purpose and outcome is to improve safety and amenity of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich MP, said the grant will help the City of Sydney Council to deliver important sections of shared paths that will make it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to move around their local area.

“The NSW Government and City of Sydney’s leadership on active transport will help create a COVID-Safe city that brings more people back to recharge the CBD economy.”

“We need to change the way we travel to and around Sydney and wider footpaths and cycleways allow for more social distancing and reduce crowds on public transport. Walking and cycling are also vital to a sustainable transport network that reduces carbon emissions and keeps people healthy.” 

Grants will also help to improve access and safety for people walking and riding at the intersection of Lang Road and Driver Avenue and a separated cycleway along the western side of Pitt Street between Alfred and King Street in the CBD.

A grant will also be given to make safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists at the intersection of Lang Road and Driver Avenue. This includes widening kerbs and paths and the installation of bike lanterns at existing pedestrian crossings.

These active transport projects are part of an investment of around $710 million in walking and cycling infrastructure over the next four years that will bring the NSW Government’s total investment to almost $1.1 billion – the largest in the State’s history.

“The NSW Government continues to encourage people to walk and cycle as part of their everyday commute, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle while also helping to relieve congestion on the roads and public transport,” said Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the projects would not only provide transport options, but also increase Covid safety. 

“As people cautiously return to the city while seeking to maintain physical distancing, wider footpaths and active transport links will be critical,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“Cycling in Sydney has dramatically increased over the past few months as workers and residents look for alternatives to public transport and for safe exercise options. In some areas of Sydney, bike trips have increased more than 50 per cent."

“These projects will play a critical role in reducing passenger loads on public transport and ensure everyone can move around the city safely.”

The grants will help with the construction of a pedestrian link to connect the new, yet to be built, Southern Concourse at Redfern Station with new student and low-cost housing in Gibbons Street and Regent Street and further into Redfern. It will include 80 metres of shared zone on Marian Street between Gibbons and Regent Street, two new midblock marked foot crossing (signals) on Gibbons and Regent Streets, and 60 metres of new concrete path to link the Southern Concourse and Gibbons Street.

In addition Woollahra Council has been provided funding for the construction of the following project: Pedestrian Shared Zone at Gurner Lane, Paddington. Shared zoned are proposed all along Gurner Lane and the unnamed lane perpendicular to Gurner Lane. With Glemnmore Road Public School nearby, Gurner Lane provides pedestrian access for local traffic and pedestrians including a large number of school children. The project purpose and outcome is to improve safety and amenity of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.