MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

25 September 2019

Application: SSI 7485

Dear Director Transport Assessments Planning Services

I write regarding the proposed modification to M4-M5 link, Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay foreshore area.
I request RMS work with the community to explore alternate design options to the prosed new car overpass design and the changed pedestrian and cyclist link.

I am seeking reinstatement of the safe, direct access from the approved EIS Greenlink to create a continuous green open space connection from Rozelle rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. This is more than a walk way – it’s a vital link reuniting the community and allowing for safe and pleasant pedestrian/bike commuters over an area that will be carrying an increased level of traffic volume/movement.

My key concerns are:

• Safety – increased risk for pedestrian/cyclist traffic with the removed access over the Crescent to Bicentennial Park. Of particular concern is the number of inner west school children who ride/walk to Blackwattle Bay campus.
• Division of the community access by removing direct links to foreshore.
• Increased heat/sun exposure and lack of green space in an area already fraught with concrete and roadway.

My submission is asking RMS and the project team to:

• Reinstate the Greenlink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park.
• Relocate and design pedestrian cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct.
• Design the modification infrastructure and active links in respect to the character of the suburbs, the foreshore location and its potential development.
• Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force them onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.

A progressive developments should improve a community not divide it.

I am disappointed to learn about these changes to include an overpass from the Cresent. I cycle across the Cresent every day and believe this will make my commute more difficult, dangerous, and unpleasant.
I believe the overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link. This provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green bridge in a location best connecting the parklands.
I think that pedestrian and cycling connectivity should be maximised, in particular access across the Cresent and from the Glebe Foreshore to the new Rozelle parklands.
I would also like the Sydney blue gums and Moreton bay figs to be protected as they increase liveability, provide shade, and are much more pleasant than concrete. It has also taken them decades to grow.
Finally, I would also request that the right turn from Johnston Street to the Crescent is retained I our family use this regularly.

I don't believe the proposed vehicular overpass at the intersection of The Crescent and the Western Distributor is a good option. And I am asking that it be re-worked. I have included some suggestions about how this might be done with better outcomes.

The Project will cut Annandale off from the foreshore
It will cut the water front parklands and Glebe off from Annandale
in that to navigate the current park lands through the proposal is dangerous and not
pedestrian friendly. Aesthetically ugly and is not what was originally proposed by NSW Gov.
Reduced opportunity for safe cycle access
increase local traffic into Annandale and Glebe
Does not take into account any future opportunities for developing the foreshore along the crescent
for paths and cycle ways for pedestrians linking suburbs
Raised roads increases noise to the local community

I object to the proposed modification which greatly expands the above ground footprint, at the cost of community amenity.

In this project there is a great opportunity to improve active transport connections, and encourage people to use active transport to get around the local area, rather than driving. If this project prioritises vehicular traffic at the expense of active transport, it will only serve to create more car traffic as local people will be discouraged from walking and riding.

I request RMS work with the community to explore alternate design options to the proposed new car overpass design and the changed pedestrian and cyclist links. I am seeking the reinstatement of the safe, direct access from the approved EIS GreenLink to create a continuous green open space connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. The GreenLink was more than just a walk way - it put people central to the design, maximising safety, and providing much needed accessible open space for the community now and into the future Bays Precinct design.

I am requesting RMS put people back into the plan – we want you to reinstate your own vision as laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056. Work with us to design a feasible option that brings the best elements from the approved EIS design into the modification.

My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
● The significantly reduced safety and increased risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over The Crescent to Bicentennial Park and the increased traffic along Johnson Street. 
● Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as my option to reach the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle Bay light rail stop.
● Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off from the area and the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct, including linking the Light Rail and Bus stops to a Ferry wharf and Metro station.
● Urban and landscape design that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area.
● Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle with no planning to deal with these.

I would like a safe, direct cycling/ pedestrian access from Annandale to the foreshore above the intersection!
Direct access from Rozelle and Lilyfield to the Foreshore Via the GREENLINK
Shared pathways are necessary and the connectivity of trams to pathways are essential for access to transport enable green and healthy and safe commuting!
This is a necessary addition to the plan and you cut it out because the residents require safe options for commuting and engaging in leisure activity to promote health living habits.

The Removal of the proposed overpass. Change the overpass to a short tunnel or go back to the at grade intersection as per the approved EIS.
The above ground road overpass has changed from the original EIS design, with multiple flow on effects. It was added to reduce waiting time at the Crescent ( Level of service). However the improvement in not significant – a saving of about 2 minutes only for the loss of amenity. The decision to put in an overpass has driven a range of undesirable flow on changes particular around pedestrian connectivity, including the need to move the green bridge west. It has led to the relocation of the green link, the addition of a new pedestrian bridge, and associated visual impacts and reductions in pedestrian connectivity. The overpass is too high and it blocks views from the relocated green bridge to the harbour. The Crescent northbound road design speed needs to be reduced.
Outcomes to consider include:
• Remove the overpass for better urban outcomes.
• The overpass only partially improves level of service at the intersection, yet has significant visual impacts
• Reconsider options for better traffic light phasing etc.
• Change the overpass to a short (less than 120m) tunnel under the city West link with slot trench approaches rather than the proposed overpass. This underpass needs to be designed to also facilitate the single pedestrian crossing at Johnston’s Street. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes. It allows the retention of the green bridge in a location to best connect the parklands together.
• The overpass means that traffic cannot turn into the future residential lands at White Bay from The Crescent. This will grow to a considerable population over the next decade. This will force this traffic 1km through Annandale and Lilyfield up Piper Street or Railway parade to Balmain Road which is the closest right hand turn.


Improve pedestrian connectivity including:
The 20% concept design in the EIS did not adequately cover pedestrian connectivity. The Current MOD 2 has not adequately covered off on issues raised in the EIS stage about connectivity.
• Simplification of the Johnston Street crossing of the Crescent to a single traffic light crossing in the current location on the Northern side of Johnston Street as currently exists, not the four traffic lights proposed in the new scheme.
• Provide easy at grade access from Railway parade to The Glebe Foreshore with a direct connection to the simplified Johnston Street/ The Crescent intersection
• Provide for the direct grade separated connection between The Glebe Foreshore and the new Rozelle parklands via the green bridge.

I support the protection of the trees adjacent the light rail station as per the EIS commitment from the Community outcomes report (C13.2.1 on p13.8). This appears to be a forgone conclusion and I'm extremely disappointed that trees have already been removed - some, unnecessarily.


Traffic considerations.
Reinstate the right hand turn lane at the Crescent from Johnston Street
The current design means local traffic will drive through local Annandale streets to Glebe and key local destinations such as The Tramsheds. Recommendation that this right hand turn is reinstated.


Protect the people’s mural
Careful consideration is needed to protect this much loved local artwork.

See attachment for details comments.

The original proposal was to be carried out using tunnels. This 'overpass' suffers from the same lack of foresight and aesthetics as the Cahill Expressway.
For the sake of cars not waiting so long at intersections the residents of Annandale and Glebe are to sacrifice trees, park and outlook in their neighbourhood.
The M4 tunnel has already increased traffic at the site dramatically and the proposed overpass would add to the gridlock on local streets not to mention the pollution and noise caused by construction.
The pedestrian and cycle access will also be sacrificed for cars making the air unbreathable.
There has been no consultation with residents in regard to this change.
The priority given to roads over public transport by this government is discredited by authorities on city traffic flow internationally yet the govt. continues to abuse its power to build for cars over the wishes of the electorate.

See attached document.

My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
Urban and landscape design that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area.
The proposed design destroys local amenity and aesthetics
The modification significantly reduces safety and increases risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over The Crescent to Bicentennial Park and the increased traffic along Johnson Street.
Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off from the area and the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct, including linking the Light Rail and Bus stops to a Ferry wharf and Metro station.
Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as my option to reach the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle Bay light rail stop.
Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle with no planning to deal with these.

Application: SSI 7485

Dear Director Transport Assessments Planning Services,

I write regarding the proposed modification to M4-M5 Link, Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay Foreshore area.

I request RMS work with the community to explore alternate design options to the proposed new car overpass design and the changed pedestrian and cyclist links. I am seeking the reinstatement of the safe, direct access from the approved EIS GreenLink to create a continuous green open space connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. The GreenLink was more than just a walk way - it put people central to the design, maximising safety, and providing much needed accessible open space for the community now and into the future Bays Precinct design.

I am requesting RMS put people back into the plan – I want you to reinstate your own vision as laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056. Work with the community to design a feasible option that brings the best elements from the approved EIS design into the modification.

My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
● The significantly reduced safety and increased risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over The Crescent to Bicentennial Park and the increased traffic along Johnson Street.
● Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as my option to reach the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle light rail stop.
● Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off from the area and the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct, including linking the Light Rail and Bus stops to a Ferry wharf and Metro station.
● Urban and landscape design that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area.
● Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle with no planning to deal with these.

Alongside these issues my other concerns include:
● Removing all the current trees before plans have even been approved (this includes) old growth Australian Fig trees which have been in place for decades.
● The significant impacts to the existing use of public parks and areas by residents in the local area. In an inner city area this access is critical for the health and wellbeing of local residents. Ease of access that is at least as easy as existing access is critical.

My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:
● Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park.
● Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct.
● Design the modification infrastructure and active links in response to the character of the suburbs, the location of the foreshore and it’s potential future development.
● Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force us onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.
● Integrate active and direct connections to all active transport – including the future Metro West and Foreshore Ferry Wharf.
● The reestablishment of extensive sections of native vegetation into the local area