New Forest High School Modification 3 - Staged Public Domain and Roadworks

I support what is going to be implemented for better pedestrian access to the new The Forest High School along Aquatic Drive. However there's no consideration for any improvements for the Rodborough roundabout and Warringah Rd/Allambie Rd intersections. A lot of students will access the new high school via the direction of Frenchs Forest/Beacon Hill and Skyline shops as Pedestrians and as cyclists/ebikes. The traffic will increase as the new Mega Bunnings is almost built and takes up the entire block of Rodborough rd through to Warringah Rd. Also the new High school itself will have increase traffic. I noticed this wasn't taken into account with the current traffic modelling. I walk through these intersections quite regularly and have had many close calls with traffic on the Rodborough roundabout pedestrian crossing and the pedestrian lights always time out when crossing the 8 lanes of traffic on Warringah Road. Keep in mind this is only a 5 to 7 minute walk from the new school. More needs to be done as a lot of teenagers are independent when traveling to and from school and a lot of them will also "hangout" at Skyline Shops for the fast food outlets and connecting buses etc. More needs to be done.

To whom it may concern


I am writing to express my serious concerns as a resident of Madison Way regarding the recently proposed modifications (Modification 3 and Modification 4) for The New Forest High School development. While I understand the need for the school, the proposed changes, particularly regarding traffic management, will significantly worsen already dangerous conditions for residents attempting to access Aquactic Drive from Madison Way.

I am a daily user of this intersection and have been since 2015 and the already existing significant safety issues turning out of Madison way.

My primary concern revolves around the safety of turning out of Madison Way onto Aquatic Drive, especially when heading towards Allambie Road or Warringah Road. I am especially concerned about this during peak drop off and pick up times - which is also a peak time due Madison Way residents - most of whom are families with young children.

This manoeuvre is already hazardous due to the steep grade of the hill on Madison Way, which severely limits visibility for drivers. The original Development Application (DA) presumably included a signalized intersection at Aquatic Drive and Allambie Road to manage increased traffic effectively.

Modification 3's proposal to delay the installation of traffic lights at the Aquatic Drive/Allambie Road intersection, and Modification 4's intention to retain and upgrade the existing roundabout instead of installing signals, are alarming. Without traffic signals creating predictable breaks in the flow of traffic on Allambie Road, it will become even more challenging and dangerous for Madison Way residents to merge safely. The anticipated increase in traffic volume from the new school, especially with the modified bus zones and kiss-and-drop areas, will undoubtedly compound this existing visibility and safety issue.

It is unacceptable that the NSW Department of Education/School Infrastructure NSW is attempting to push ahead with the school's opening without fulfilling the original DA obligations regarding the signalized intersection. This proposed change appears to be a direct consequence of inadequate construction management or planning delays, effectively shifting the burden of increased traffic danger onto local residents who have already endured significant construction impacts.

In addition, recent traffic modelling that was conducted in the area in support of these changes was not done over a ‘typical’ period. Traffic counters were deployed during the Easter break and Term 1 school holidays period. This does not at all give an accurate representation of existing traffic volumes.

To mitigate these severe safety risks, I urge you to consider the following measures:

- Traffic Light Installation at Aquactic DriveAllambie Road as per the original DA.

- Visibility Improvements: Conduct an independent safety audit focusing specifically on sightlines when exiting Madison Way, particularly for right turns. Implement engineering solutions such as vegetation trimming, road widening at the intersection, or convex mirrors if feasible. Previous calls for a roundabout have been ignored but should be considered again.

- Double Lines on Aquatic Drive: To prevent dangerous maneuvers and maintain consistent traffic flow around the school, I strongly suggest implementing double unbroken lines along Aquatic Drive, specifically to prevent U-turns from vehicles exiting the "kiss and drop" zones or bus areas. These U-turns could create unexpected hazards and further disrupt traffic flow.

I request a detailed response outlining how these specific concerns regarding Madison Way's access safety will be addressed, particularly in light of the proposed traffic management changes. I also urge you to reconsider pushing forward with an opening plan that seemingly compromises safety due to project management shortcomings.

Regards
Nicole Davey
51 Madison Way.

What will happen for the property owners accessing their driveways out of School hours on the eastern side of Allambie Road?
Why will there be no standing at all times on the eastern side of Allambie Road? Why can this not be time restricted so residents have easier access in the evenings and especially on weekends. Surely no parking signs would be suitable during these times.
As a resident for over 40 years how are we meant to be able to get our box trailer in and out of our driveway safely.

Why will there be no standing at all times on the eastern side of Allambie Road? Why can this not be time restricted so residents have easier in the evenings and especially on weekends. Surely no parking signs would be suitable during these times.
As a resident for over 40 years how are we meant to be able to get our box trailer in and out of our driveway safely.

1. I have been reviewing the details of the proposed Modification 3 to the plans for the opening of the new Forest High School. I note that the Modification includes ‘Kiss and Drop’ and Bus Zones on the Southern side of Aquatic Drive about 200 metres West of the roundabout at the junction of Aquatic Drive and Allambie Road. I wonder if any thought has been given to how the vehicles which will utilise these areas (and thus facing West down Aquatic Drive) will then exit back onto Allambie Road or Warringah Road (via the Wakehurst Parkway)? The exit at the Western end of Aquatic Drive only allows vehicles to turn left onto the Wakehurst Parkway. With the new arrangement, vehicles pulling into the new Kiss and Drop Zones will either need to do a dangerous U-Turn in Aquatic Drive or drive to the Aquatic Centre entrance and turn around in the Centre carpark or use Madison Way to turn around. It is this last option that concern me the most. Madison Way is a small circle of homes connected by a very narrow road. The possible increase in traffic flowing around the road would just be untenable and likely lead to conflict between the residents and the vehicle drivers. The other problem would be the increase in traffic exiting Madison Way back onto Aquatic Drive. A very dangerous junction where 'near misses' with traffic coming from the West over a blind hill, are quite common to the current residents.
Do you have a solution please?

2. The decision not to replace the roundabouts at the junction of Allambie Road and Rodborough Road and Allambie Road and Aquatic Drive with signals in the first instance, is a good one. It will be interesting to see how the traffic flows with the existing arrangement. The Pedestrian Crossing 50metres west of the Aquatic Drive roundabout will undoubtedly cause traffic build up in and out of Aquatic Drive, but it might be better than signals in the long term.

I would like to register my concerns about students gaining access to the new Forest High School from homes in Frenchs Forest East and Beacon Hill that will need to walk because they will not receive free travel on a bus because they are too close to the school. These students will need to cross at the round-about to access the school. Without signaling, teenagers are likely to take risks in negotiating the traffic, based on my observations of what they already do at the current location. Some students currently cross all four lanes of traffic when signalling is available. There are also students that will be catching public buses such as 280 & 142 at the start of the day that will also need a safe way to cross Allambie Road. The establishment of the school has been known for years and those in charge of project planning for the signalling are being negligent with not prioritising these works for the safety of these students. The current opening date is not until the new year 2026 so there is time to execute these works. During January, when many families are away for the holidays and there is less traffic would be an appropriate time for these works to be completed. The safety of students needs to be a priority, and the works should be completed before the school commencement date.

I would also like it noted that I feel it is unethical to send out this communication during the school holiday period when the school's P&C cannot organise a meeting with parents and citizens to inform them of the situation. It is only that I live close to the school that I have received this notification and have the opportunity to respond before I take some school holiday leave for myself.

It is noted that 3 existing bus stops in the vicinity of the roundabout at the Aquatic Drive/Allambie Road are to be removed. These bus stops are being used by myself and others to access Warringah Mall (route 280), the Sydney City (route 173X ) and Manly (route 142) . Removal of these stops affects us for the following reasons. We use the 142 route to and from Manly and leave a car at the roundabout when we know that we will be returning at a time after the 142 service ceases to go down Aquatic Drive in the evening. The new bus stops in Aquatic Drive appear to be school bus stops only and no provision has been made to replace the removed bus stops. Do you now expect us and other elderly folk to use the bus stops located at and opposite the Electricity Distribution Station located in Allambie Road between Rodborough Road and Aquatic Drive ?
If this is the case there doesn't seem to be a safe way to cross Allambie Road to the Eastern side near the bus stop and this road will only get busier with the opening of Bunnings in Rodborough Road. What is planned until such time as the proposed signalised intersection replaces the current roundabout ? Bear in mind that there are elderly people such as myself and also the occupants of the Eurobodalla Residences at Madison Way who will use this bus stop.
On street parking of students along Aquatic Drive is not addressed , where will they park during school hours ?
Although not covered by this amendment, we, as residents of the 41 residents of Madison Way still have our concerns when exiting Madison Way eastwards into Aquatic Drive, we still await a response to earlier concerns raised.