Sydney University - Abercrombie St Precinct

I strongly object to the project. The parking is already conjested enough with uni students parking in our streets and eveleigh market/ carriagework patrons taking up parking spaces and causing late night noise. We don't need more students adding to the current noise and parking congestion problems.
The proposed student accommodation will only add to the partying obnoxious students that stay up all night and wander our streets in a drunken state or driving their cars at high speed along abercrombie and wilson st around the roundabouts at all hours of the day.
We've paid premium price to live in Newtown/Darlington for a peaceful and family community.

I am a parent at Darlington Public School.

I have a 4 year old who currently attends the Darlington Public Preschool, and an 8 year old who is in year 3.

Every morning and afternoon my children walk or scoot with my partner or myselfalong Abercrombie Street to get to and from school.

I do not walk or scoot along Codrington Street.

I am very concerned that the development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street.

Car park entrance be moved to Codrington Street

I request the car park entrance to be moved to Codrington Street. I do not agree with the reasons given in Appendix L Traffic Report (section 3.5) why the entrance cannot be in Codrington Street (`possible future light rail and pedestrian access and amenity to the development's main entrance').

Light rail does not currently exist and there is no evidence to suggest it will in the medium term so should not be considered in this design. Even if it were to be built, there is no reason why cars and light rail cannot share the road as they do in Hay Street in the city where cars use the same road to access a car park on Parker Street, Haymarket. With regard to pedestrian access and amenity space at the main entrance of the development, the site layout can be amended to push the driveway to one side or other of the "front door" with sufficient room for pedestrian access and amenity space.

I do not believe that a currently non-existent light rail or the pedestrian access and amenity to the main entrance are good enough reasons to put young children at risk by placing the drive way on Abercrombie Street next to the school.

In the alternate, additional safety measures for the driveway on Abercrombie street.

The assumption that the provision of pedestrian access through the site to a new school gate will be sufficient to avoid pedestrian vehicle conflicts is incorrect. Many children will still use Abercrombie Street as their access route to the school (including those that arrive by car but walk from the car to the gate on Abercrombie Street) and as such the car park entry will need to be as safe as possible for children crossing if it can not be moved to Codrington street.

Safety mechanisms need to be in excess of what is currently provided at Maundelbaum House as there will be more cars coming and going compared to that driveway. Maundelbaum House has a roller door and flashing lights to stop cars and warn children that a car will be crossing.

In addition to the following, I request that an independent traffic and driveway assessment is undertaken.

Traffic Lights

If the car park entrance is to be on Abercrombie Street, I request that a mechanism to ensure that cars both entering and exiting the car park will stop to let the children cross. I believe that the only way to satisfactorily provide this is with traffic lights at the car park entrance.

Flashing Beacon

In the alternate to traffic lights I request a flashing beacon which is triggered by a sensor as a car goes to exit. This would give warnings to both the children and drivers.

Signage to cars

No matter what safety measure is used I request it is still included in the design (as stated in the application) that there will be a line and a clear sign to give way to pedestrians and to watch out for kids.

Markings on footpath

This is not currently included in the design but I believe that this is a necessary inclusion. The recommended markings would be for yellow cross hatching rather than a zebra crossing on the footpath as this would be confusing (i.e. treating a footpath as a road). I also suggest that the driveway should be a lighter colour on the footpath with lines painted on the footpath either side to clearly indicate to children to stop and look at that point.

Vacant car space indicator

Additional safety can be achieved by reducing the number of cars that enter the car park. This can be done by using electronic indicators stating the number of spots available to drivers before they enter the car park, thus avoiding cars entering to look for an unavailable spot (and then exiting in frustration and a hurry).

Boom gates

I do not see a boom gate as a sufficient safety measure as boom gates can potentially be more dangerous than nothing as people get the go ahead from the boom gate and then don't stop at the footpath. Also if boom gates are on the ramped section of the entrance drivers are likely to accelerate more from stopped and be faster at the footpath. If they are at the base of the ramp then it is too far to have an impact when the car reaches the footpath. I ask that boom gates are not included as a safety measure in the design.

Summary of safety measures of driveway on Abercrombie Street

In summary, I request that the car park entrance is moved to Codrington Street. If the car park entrance is on Abercrombie Street I request traffic lights to be installed, or in the alternate, a flashing beacon to warn children of approaching cars. In either case I also request signage, street markings and an available space indicator. I also support the suggested gradient.

Regards, Suzy

To whom it may concern,

I am a parent of two children who attend Darlington Public School.

My children are 5 and 8 years old.

We often walk, ride bike and scooters along Abercrombie St to get to and from the school. In wet weather (more dangerous driving conditions) I drive to school and park on Abercrombie Street where I then walk my children to the school gate on Abercrombie Street. I often need to park down the road past the school and walk along the footpath where the proposed car park entrance is.

I have never travelled to school via Codrington Street, and would not use this entrance.

I am very concerned that the University's development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street.

Car park entrance be moved to Codrington Street
I request the car park entrance to be moved to Codrington Street. I do not agree with the reasons given in Appendix L Traffic Report (section 3.5) why the entrance cannot be in Codrington Street (`possible future light rail and pedestrian access and amenity to the development's main entrance').

Light rail does not currently exist and there is no evidence to suggest it will in the medium term so should not be considered in this design. Even if it were to be built, there is no reason why cars and light rail cannot share the road as they do in Hay Street in the city where cars use the same road to access a car park on Parker Street, Haymarket.

With regard to pedestrian access and amenity space at the main entrance of the development, the site layout can be amended to push the driveway to one side or other of the "front door" with sufficient room for pedestrian access and amenity space.

I do not believe that a currently non-existent light rail or the pedestrian access and amenity to the main entrance are good enough reasons to put my two young children, and others who access our school via this route, at risk by placing the drive way on Abercrombie Street next to the school.

In the alternate, additional safety measures for the driveway on Abercrombie street.
The assumption that the provision of pedestrian access through the site to a new school gate will be sufficient to avoid pedestrian vehicle conflicts is incorrect. Many children will still use Abercrombie Street as their access route to the school (including those that arrive by car but walk from the car to the gate on Abercrombie Street) and as such the car park entry will need to be as safe as possible for children crossing if it can not be moved to Codrington street.

Safety mechanisms need to be in excess of what is currently provided at Maundelbaum House as there will be more cars coming and going compared to that driveway. Maundelbaum House has a roller door and flashing lights to stop cars and warn children that a car will be crossing.

In addition to the following, I request that an independent traffic and driveway assessment is undertaken.

Traffic Lights
If the car park entrance is to be on Abercrombie Street, I request that a mechanism to ensure that cars both entering and exiting the car park will stop to let the children cross. I believe that the only way to satisfactorily provide this is with traffic lights at the car park entrance.

Flashing Beacon
In the alternate to traffic lights I request a flashing beacon which is triggered by a sensor as a car goes to exit. This would give warnings to both the children and drivers.

Signage to cars
No matter what safety measure is used I request it is still included in the design (as stated in the application) that there will be a line and a clear sign to give way to pedestrians and to watch out for kids.

Markings on footpath
This is not currently included in the design but I believe that this is a necessary inclusion. The recommended markings would be for yellow cross hatching rather than a zebra crossing on the footpath as this would be confusing (i.e. treating a footpath as a road). I also suggest that the driveway should be a lighter colour on the footpath with lines painted on the footpath either side to clearly indicate to children to stop and look at that point.

Vacant car space indicator
Additional safety can be achieved by reducing the number of cars that enter the car park. This can be done by using electronic indicators stating the number of spots available to drivers before they enter the car park, thus avoiding cars entering to look for an unavailable spot (and then exiting in frustration and a hurry).

Boom gates
I do not see a boom gate as a sufficient safety measure as boom gates can potentially be more dangerous than nothing as people get the go ahead from the boom gate and then don't stop at the footpath. Also if boom gates are on the ramped section of the entrance drivers are likely to accelerate more from stopped and be faster at the footpath. If they are at the base of the ramp then it is too far to have an impact when the car reaches the footpath. I ask that boom gates are not included as a safety measure in the design.

Summary of safety measures of driveway on Abercrombie Street
In summary, I request that the car park entrance is moved to Codrington Street. If the car park entrance is on Abercrombie Street I request traffic lights to be installed, or in the alternate, a flashing beacon to warn children of approaching cars. In either case I also request signage, street markings and an available space indicator. I also support the suggested gradient.

Regards,
Rebecca Askew

My child is 10 years old.

He often walks along Abercrombie Street to get to and from school and sometimes I drive him to school and park on Abercrombie Street where I then walk to the school gate on Abercrombie Street. I often need to park down the road past the school and walk along the footpath where the proposed car park entrance is.

He does not walk along Codrington Street.

I am very concerned that the development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street.

Car park entrance be moved to Codrington Street
I request the car park entrance to be moved to Codrington Street. I do not agree with the reasons given in Appendix L Traffic Report (section 3.5) why the entrance cannot be in Codrington Street (`possible future light rail and pedestrian access and amenity to the development's main entrance').

Light rail does not currently exist and there is no evidence to suggest it will in the medium term so should not be considered in this design. Even if it Ire to be built, there is no reason why cars and light rail cannot share the road as they do in Hay Street in the city where cars use the same road to access a car park on Parker Street, Haymarket. With regard to pedestrian access and amenity space at the main entrance of the development, the site layout can be amended to push the driveway to one side or other of the "front door" with sufficient room for pedestrian access and amenity space.

I do not believe that a currently non-existent light rail or the pedestrian access and amenity to the main entrance are good enough reasons to put young children at risk by placing the drive way on Abercrombie Street next to the school.

In the alternate, additional safety measures for the driveway on Abercrombie street.
The assumption that the provision of pedestrian access through the site to a new school gate will be sufficient to avoid pedestrian vehicle conflicts is incorrect. Many children will still use Abercrombie Street as their access route to the school (including those that arrive by car but walk from the car to the gate on Abercrombie Street) and as such the car park entry will need to be as safe as possible for children crossing if it can not be moved to Codrington street.

Safety mechanisms need to be in excess of what is currently provided at Maundelbaum House as there will be more cars coming and going compared to that driveway. Maundelbaum House has a roller door and flashing lights to stop cars and warn children that a car will be crossing.

In addition to the following, I request that an independent traffic and driveway assessment is undertaken.

Traffic Lights
If the car park entrance is to be on Abercrombie Street, I request that a mechanism to ensure that cars both entering and exiting the car park will stop to let the children cross. I believe that the only way to satisfactorily provide this is with traffic lights at the car park entrance.

Flashing Beacon
In the alternate to traffic lights I request a flashing beacon which is triggered by a sensor as a car goes to exit. This would give warnings to both the children and drivers.

Signage to cars
No matter what safety measure is used I request it is still included in the design (as stated in the application) that there will be a line and a clear sign to give way to pedestrians and to watch out for kids.

Markings on footpath
This is not currently included in the design but I believe that this is a necessary inclusion. The recommended markings would be for yellow cross hatching rather than a zebra crossing on the footpath as this would be confusing (i.e. treating a footpath as a road). I also suggest that the driveway should be a lighter colour on the footpath with lines painted on the footpath either side to clearly indicate to children to stop and look at that point.

Vacant car space indicator
Additional safety can be achieved by reducing the number of cars that enter the car park. This can be done by using electronic indicators stating the number of spots available to drivers before they enter the car park, thus avoiding cars entering to look for an unavailable spot (and then exiting in frustration and a hurry).

Boom gates
I do not see a boom gate as a sufficient safety measure as boom gates can potentially be more dangerous than nothing as people get the go ahead from the boom gate and then don't stop at the footpath. Also if boom gates are on the ramped section of the entrance drivers are likely to accelerate more from stopped and be faster at the footpath. If they are at the base of the ramp then it is too far to have an impact when the car reaches the footpath. I ask that boom gates are not included as a safety measure in the design.

Summary of safety measures of driveway on Abercrombie Street
In summary, I request that the car park entrance is moved to Codrington Street. If the car park entrance is on Abercrombie Street I request traffic lights to be installed, or in the alternate, a flashing beacon to warn children of approaching cars. In either case I also request signage, street markings and an available space indicator. I also support the suggested gradient.

I am a parent at Darlington Public School.

My children are 11, 9 and 5 years old.

I drive to school and park on Abercrombie Street where I then walk to the school gate on Abercrombie Street. I often need to park down the road past the school and walk along the footpath where the proposed car park entrance is.

I do not park on or walk along Codrington Street.

I am very concerned that the development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street.

I request the car park entrance to be moved to Codrington Street. I do not agree with the reasons given in Appendix L Traffic Report (section 3.5) why the entrance cannot be in Codrington Street (`possible future light rail and pedestrian access and amenity to the development's main entrance').

Light rail does not currently exist and there is no evidence to suggest it will in the medium term so should not be considered in this design. Even if it is to be built, there is no reason why cars and light rail cannot share the road as they do in Hay Street in the city where cars use the same road to access a car park on Parker Street, Haymarket. With regard to pedestrian access and amenity space at the main entrance of the development, the site layout can be amended to push the driveway to one side or other of the "front door" with sufficient room for pedestrian access and amenity space.

I do not believe that a currently non-existent light rail or the pedestrian access and amenity to the main entrance are good enough reasons to put young children at risk by placing the drive way on Abercrombie Street next to the school.

In the alternate, additional safety measures for the driveway on Abercrombie street:

The assumption that the provision of pedestrian access through the site to a new school gate will be sufficient to avoid pedestrian vehicle conflicts is incorrect. Many children will still use Abercrombie Street as their access route to the school (including those that arrive by car but walk from the car to the gate on Abercrombie Street) and as such the car park entry will need to be as safe as possible for children crossing if it can not be moved to Codrington street.

Safety mechanisms need to be in excess of what is currently provided at Maundelbaum House as there will be more cars coming and going compared to that driveway. Maundelbaum House has a roller door and flashing lights to stop cars and warn children that a car will be crossing.

In addition to the following, I request that an independent traffic and driveway assessment is undertaken.

Traffic Lights
If the car park entrance is to be on Abercrombie Street, I request that a mechanism to ensure that cars both entering and exiting the car park will stop to let the children cross. I believe that the only way to satisfactorily provide this is with traffic lights at the car park entrance.

Flashing Beacon
In the alternate to traffic lights I request a flashing beacon which is triggered by a sensor as a car goes to exit. This would give warnings to both the children and drivers.

Signage to cars
No matter what safety measure is used I request it is still included in the design (as stated in the application) that there will be a line and a clear sign to give way to pedestrians and to watch out for kids.

Markings on footpath
This is not currently included in the design but I believe that this is a necessary inclusion. The recommended markings would be for yellow cross hatching rather than a zebra crossing on the footpath as this would be confusing (i.e. treating a footpath as a road). I also suggest that the driveway should be a lighter colour on the footpath with lines painted on the footpath either side to clearly indicate to children to stop and look at that point.

Vacant car space indicator
Additional safety can be achieved by reducing the number of cars that enter the car park. This can be done by using electronic indicators stating the number of spots available to drivers before they enter the car park, thus avoiding cars entering to look for an unavailable spot (and then exiting in frustration and a hurry).

Boom gates
I do not see a boom gate as a sufficient safety measure as boom gates can potentially be more dangerous than nothing as people get the go ahead from the boom gate and then don't stop at the footpath. Also if boom gates are on the ramped section of the entrance drivers are likely to accelerate more from stopped and be faster at the footpath. If they are at the base of the ramp then it is too far to have an impact when the car reaches the footpath. I ask that boom gates are not included as a safety measure in the design.

Summary of safety measures of driveway on Abercrombie Street:
In summary, I request that the car park entrance is moved to Codrington Street. If the car park entrance is on Abercrombie Street I request traffic lights to be installed, or in the alternate, a flashing beacon to warn children of approaching cars. In either case I also request signage, street markings and an available space indicator. I also support the suggested gradient.

Yours Roberta Ivers

- Absolutely object to carpark access on Abercrombie St. Cars already speed along there, it is unsafe for Darlington Public School students.
Steps need to be taken to reduce road traffic in this residential area, not increase it.

I am a parent at Darlington Public School.

My children are 4 and 6 years old adn attend the preschool and year 1.

I drive to school and park on Abercrombie Street where I then walk to the school gate on Abercrombie Street with my children. I often need to park down the road past the school and walk along the footpath where the proposed car park entrance is.

I do not park and walk along Codrington Street.

I am very concerned that the development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street.

* Car park entrance be moved to Codrington Street:

I request the car park entrance to be moved to Codrington Street. I do not agree with the reasons given in Appendix L Traffic Report (section 3.5) why the entrance cannot be in Codrington Street (`possible future light rail and pedestrian access and amenity to the development's main entrance').

Light rail does not currently exist and there is no evidence to suggest it will in the medium term so should not be considered in this design. Even if it Ire to be built, there is no reason why cars and light rail cannot share the road as they do in Hay Street in the city where cars use the same road to access a car park on Parker Street, Haymarket. With regard to pedestrian access and amenity space at the main entrance of the development, the site layout can be amended to push the driveway to one side or other of the "front door" with sufficient room for pedestrian access and amenity space.

I do not believe that a currently non-existent light rail or the pedestrian access and amenity to the main entrance are good enough reasons to put young children at risk by placing the drive way on Abercrombie Street next to the school.

* In the alternate, additional safety measures for the driveway on Abercrombie street:

The assumption that the provision of pedestrian access through the site to a new school gate will be sufficient to avoid pedestrian vehicle conflicts is incorrect. Many children will still use Abercrombie Street as their access route to the school (including those that arrive by car but walk from the car to the gate on Abercrombie Street) and as such the car park entry will need to be as safe as possible for children crossing if it can not be moved to Codrington street.

Safety mechanisms need to be in excess of what is currently provided at Maundelbaum House as there will be more cars coming and going compared to that driveway. Maundelbaum House has a roller door and flashing lights to stop cars and warn children that a car will be crossing.

In addition to the following, I request that an independent traffic and driveway assessment is undertaken.


Traffic Lights

If the car park entrance is to be on Abercrombie Street, I request that a mechanism to ensure that cars both entering and exiting the car park will stop to let the children cross. I believe that the only way to satisfactorily provide this is with traffic lights at the car park entrance.


Flashing Beacon

In the alternate to traffic lights I request a flashing beacon which is triggered by a sensor as a car goes to exit. This would give warnings to both the children and drivers.


Signage to cars

No matter what safety measure is used I request it is still included in the design (as stated in the application) that there will be a line and a clear sign to give way to pedestrians and to watch out for kids.


Markings on footpath

This is not currently included in the design but I believe that this is a necessary inclusion. The recommended markings would be for yellow cross hatching rather than a zebra crossing on the footpath as this would be confusing (i.e. treating a footpath as a road). I also suggest that the driveway should be a lighter colour on the footpath with lines painted on the footpath either side to clearly indicate to children to stop and look at that point.


Vacant car space indicator

Additional safety can be achieved by reducing the number of cars that enter the car park. This can be done by using electronic indicators stating the number of spots available to drivers before they enter the car park, thus avoiding cars entering to look for an unavailable spot (and then exiting in frustration and a hurry).


Boom gates

I do not see a boom gate as a sufficient safety measure as boom gates can potentially be more dangerous than nothing as people get the go ahead from the boom gate and then don't stop at the footpath. Also if boom gates are on the ramped section of the entrance drivers are likely to accelerate more from stopped and be faster at the footpath. If they are at the base of the ramp then it is too far to have an impact when the car reaches the footpath. I ask that boom gates are not included as a safety measure in the design.


* Summary of safety measures of driveway on Abercrombie Street:

In summary, I request that the car park entrance is moved to Codrington Street. If the car park entrance is on Abercrombie Street I request traffic lights to be installed, or in the alternate, a flashing beacon to warn children of approaching cars. In either case I also request signage, street markings and an available space indicator. I also support the suggested gradient.

Thank you for your consideration of my concerns regarding this development.

To whom it may concern
I am a parent at Darlington Public School. My children, who have both been at the pre-school at the school since they were 4, are 6 and 8.
I am writing as I am very concerned about the impact of the entire development upon the school. There are numerous issues that parents are concerned about and wish to have addressed in the planning process. 1. Car park 2. Noise and dust from demolition to construction 3. Proactive management of risks (noise and dust) to children by the developer.
* Carpark. My children walk from our home to school (and back again) via Abercrombie Street to get to and from school. Occasionally I need to park down from the school in order to drop children off on the way to meetings in other locations. There is no need for us use Codrington Street to access school. My family are concerned that the development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street. Most children in the school travel to school on the same route.
* Other options for the placement of the car park need to be investigated. I am not convinced by the argument of the developer that the carpark needs to be in the propped place in Abercrombie Street due to a light rail project which does not exist and for which there are no plans submitted.
* Another alternative that I request be considered is the placement of traffic lights on Abercrombie street (eg the high side of Codrington and Abercrombie outside The Royal Hotel and on the current pedestrian crossing opposite the school gate on Abercrobmie street, in order to direct pedestrian traffic to the left side of the road heading West, rather than the right side of the road heading west, and thus in the path of cars). The children already have to cross a pedestrian crossing on the end of a roundabout to get to school (Codrington and Abercrombie Street) which is very dangerous and where we have near misses each and every week, this will be exacerbated in the context of the build and the operation of a large new building.
* If the car park is approved to go ahead in the current form there are a number of mitigating strategies that need to be put in place to make travelling to school for the children safe including.
a. Safety mechanisms in excess of what is currently provided at Maundelbaum House as there will be considerable numbers of cars coming and going compared to that driveway. Maundelbaum House has a roller door and flashing lights to stop cars and warn children that a car will be crossing.
b. If the car park entrance is to be on Abercrombie Street, I request that a mechanism to ensure that cars both entering and exiting the car park will stop to let the children cross. The only way to satisfactorily provide this is with traffic lights at the car park entrance.
c. In the alternate to traffic lights I request a flashing beacon which is triggered by a sensor as a car goes to exit. This would give warnings to both the children and drivers. But it will not remove the problem of cars turning INTO the carpark, and I believe still insufficient to protect the children
d. No matter what safety measure is used I request it is still included in the design (as stated in the application) that there will be a line and a clear sign to give way to pedestrians and to watch out for kids.
e. This is not currently included in the design but I believe that this is a necessary inclusion. The recommended markings would be for yellow cross hatching rather than a zebra crossing on the footpath as this would be confusing (i.e. treating a footpath as a road). I also suggest that the driveway should be a lighter colour on the footpath with lines painted on the footpath either side to clearly indicate to children to stop and look at that point.
f. Vacant car space indicator. Additional safety can be achieved by reducing the number of cars that enter the car park. This can be done by using electronic indicators stating the number of spots available to drivers before they enter the car park, thus avoiding cars entering to look for an unavailable spot (and then exiting in frustration and a hurry).
g. I do not see a boom gate as a sufficient safety measure as boom gates can potentially be more dangerous than nothing as people get the go ahead from the boom gate and then don't stop at the footpath. Also if boom gates are on the ramped section of the entrance drivers are likely to accelerate more from stopped and be faster at the footpath. If they are at the base of the ramp then it is too far to have an impact when the car reaches the footpath. I ask that boom gates are not included as a safety measure in the design.

2. Noise and dust. I believe that the noise and dust associated with the noise and dust associated with demolition and building are likely to impact in a significant way upon teaching and learning in our school. For my children, it is unlikely that once building starts they will have any time as students at the school without building going on next door. At the end of the process, they will have a large building overshadowing their school and play area. Outcomes for children in later life are so deeply affected by the early years of school that I would like to see a more active consideration of the impact of dust and noise upon children's experience of school. I recognise that it will be difficult to eliminate noise altogether, but I request that at the very least active monitoring of noise and dust is operational at all time - including from the first day of demolition. I would like to see a commitment to this -and a strategy for mitigating problems set out in the development plan.
3. Putting in place strategies to protect children. I request that should noise and dust levels rise to a point which is incompatible with a well-functioning education environment, that specific strategies be put in place immediately to counteract the problems for the teaching and learning. I request that this include putting insulation, dust filtering, and air-conditioning in affected class rooms and learning areas to avoid deleterious impact upon learning. The school is already inadequately insulated, classrooms have no air-conditioning and the design of rooms means that airflow in classrooms does not allow classes to have fresh air and reasonable (bearable) temperatures with the windows open. When noise and dust are problems windows will need to be closed. Part of the planning approval should be a consideration of how these issues will be managed and who will take responsibility for the safety of the children. I fear a situation when the DEC and the Developer will pass the responsibility for this between themselves to the detriment of the children's learning. It would have been heartening to have seen agreement on such matters already, but no agreements have been made about what appears to be a fairly predictable situation and outcome (ie major build next to a school = noise and dust impacting on learning)

Thanks for considering my strong concerns

Dr Rachel Cooper

To whom it may concern
I am a parent at Darlington Public School. My children, who have both been at the pre-school at the school since they were 4, are 6 and 8.
I am writing as I am very concerned about the impact of the entire development upon the school. There are numerous issues that parents are concerned about and wish to have addressed in the planning process. 1. Car park 2. Noise and dust from demolition to construction 3. Proactive management of risks (noise and dust) to children by the developer.
* Carpark. My children walk from our home to school (and back again) via Abercrombie Street to get to and from school. Occasionally I need to park down from the school in order to drop children off on the way to meetings in other locations. There is no need for us use Codrington Street to access school. My family are concerned that the development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street. Most children in the school travel to school on the same route.
* Other options for the placement of the car park need to be investigated. I am not convinced by the argument of the developer that the carpark needs to be in the propped place in Abercrombie Street due to a light rail project which does not exist and for which there are no plans submitted.
* Another alternative that I request be considered is the placement of traffic lights on Abercrombie street (eg the high side of Codrington and Abercrombie outside The Royal Hotel and on the current pedestrian crossing opposite the school gate on Abercrobmie street, in order to direct pedestrian traffic to the left side of the road heading West, rather than the right side of the road heading west, and thus in the path of cars). The children already have to cross a pedestrian crossing on the end of a roundabout to get to school (Codrington and Abercrombie Street) which is very dangerous and where we have near misses each and every week, this will be exacerbated in the context of the build and the operation of a large new building.
* If the car park is approved to go ahead in the current form there are a number of mitigating strategies that need to be put in place to make travelling to school for the children safe including.
a. Safety mechanisms in excess of what is currently provided at Maundelbaum House as there will be considerable numbers of cars coming and going compared to that driveway. Maundelbaum House has a roller door and flashing lights to stop cars and warn children that a car will be crossing.
b. If the car park entrance is to be on Abercrombie Street, I request that a mechanism to ensure that cars both entering and exiting the car park will stop to let the children cross. The only way to satisfactorily provide this is with traffic lights at the car park entrance.
c. In the alternate to traffic lights I request a flashing beacon which is triggered by a sensor as a car goes to exit. This would give warnings to both the children and drivers. But it will not remove the problem of cars turning INTO the carpark, and I believe still insufficient to protect the children
d. No matter what safety measure is used I request it is still included in the design (as stated in the application) that there will be a line and a clear sign to give way to pedestrians and to watch out for kids.
e. This is not currently included in the design but I believe that this is a necessary inclusion. The recommended markings would be for yellow cross hatching rather than a zebra crossing on the footpath as this would be confusing (i.e. treating a footpath as a road). I also suggest that the driveway should be a lighter colour on the footpath with lines painted on the footpath either side to clearly indicate to children to stop and look at that point.
f. Vacant car space indicator. Additional safety can be achieved by reducing the number of cars that enter the car park. This can be done by using electronic indicators stating the number of spots available to drivers before they enter the car park, thus avoiding cars entering to look for an unavailable spot (and then exiting in frustration and a hurry).
g. I do not see a boom gate as a sufficient safety measure as boom gates can potentially be more dangerous than nothing as people get the go ahead from the boom gate and then don't stop at the footpath. Also if boom gates are on the ramped section of the entrance drivers are likely to accelerate more from stopped and be faster at the footpath. If they are at the base of the ramp then it is too far to have an impact when the car reaches the footpath. I ask that boom gates are not included as a safety measure in the design.

2. Noise and dust. I believe that the noise and dust associated with the noise and dust associated with demolition and building are likely to impact in a significant way upon teaching and learning in our school. For my children, it is unlikely that once building starts they will have any time as students at the school without building going on next door. At the end of the process, they will have a large building overshadowing their school and play area. Outcomes for children in later life are so deeply affected by the early years of school that I would like to see a more active consideration of the impact of dust and noise upon children's experience of school. I recognise that it will be difficult to eliminate noise altogether, but I request that at the very least active monitoring of noise and dust is operational at all time - including from the first day of demolition. I would like to see a commitment to this -and a strategy for mitigating problems set out in the development plan.
3. Putting in place strategies to protect children. I request that should noise and dust levels rise to a point which is incompatible with a well-functioning education environment, that specific strategies be put in place immediately to counteract the problems for the teaching and learning. I request that this include putting insulation, dust filtering, and air-conditioning in affected class rooms and learning areas to avoid deleterious impact upon learning. The school is already inadequately insulated, classrooms have no air-conditioning and the design of rooms means that airflow in classrooms does not allow classes to have fresh air and reasonable (bearable) temperatures with the windows open. When noise and dust are problems windows will need to be closed. Part of the planning approval should be a consideration of how these issues will be managed and who will take responsibility for the safety of the children. I fear a situation when the DEC and the Developer will pass the responsibility for this between themselves to the detriment of the children's learning. It would have been heartening to have seen agreement on such matters already, but no agreements have been made about what appears to be a fairly predictable situation and outcome (ie major build next to a school = noise and dust impacting on learning)

Thanks for considering my strong concerns

Dr Rachel Cooper

These new buildings will create an additional mass of 7000 plus students, creating more congestion with a greater number walking along an already 'full to capacity' Lawson Street. The scale of the development is too big and augmentation of facilities should be happening on the main campus which still has plenty of open space.

John Gain
406 Abercrombie St
Darlington
2008

30th May 2012

Major Projects Assessment,
Department of Planning & Infrastructure,
GPO Box 39,
Sydney NSW 2001.


Attention: Director, Metropolitan and Regional Projects North


Name of Application: University of Sydney Abercrombie Precinct Redevelopment
Application No: MP07_0158


Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to object to the above Development Application for the following reasons:-

1. Site Selection - the University has not demonstrated that it has considered sites on the main Camperdown Campus for this development which would have a lesser impact on residential Darlington. The University should consider a green site swap where green space on the main campus would be used for the development and the Abercrombie site would become green space - benefiting students and the local community alike.

2. Scale of Development - Abercrombie Street is predominantly 2 storey Victorian houses. While it is accepted that the University will develop this land, the scale and look of the buildings in this development are totally inappropriate in our heritage suburb. The current University buildings on this street, such as Mandelbaum House, are of a similar height and complement the existing scale of the street. The new buildings proposed, up to 9 levels in total (7 above ground), will dwarf the Victorian terraces both with their scale and harsh design. The buildings should be scaled back to reflect the size of existing University buildings on Abercrombie Street.

3. Heritage - the architecture of Darlington is predominantly of the Victorian era and the early 20th century. The design of the University's proposed development is overbearing in both size and appearance and is not keeping with the heritage nature of the streetscape.

4. Population Impact - Darlington is a suburb of only 2100 people. The Abercrombie Precinct Development (APD) would introduce a further 5000 students in addition to the 2500 students already at the existing Business School. This massive increase would adversely impact on Darlington - one of Sydney's smallest suburbs.

5. Traffic - the traffic volume on Darlington's Victorian era streets is relatively high already because of University traffic. Allowing a further 5000 students and staff into the suburb will increase congestion to unacceptably high levels. Building the development on the main campus, with appropriate underground parking, would keep University traffic on main arterial roads, such as City Road, and off Darlington's residential streets.

6. Parking- the car parking facility proposed for this development is unnecessary. If any development is to go ahead on this site then no car park should be built at all.
Firstly, the University has an abundance of public transport feeding into the area in the form of buses and trains and should encourage staff and students to use it.
Secondly, many of the streets in Darlington and surrounding suburbs are now made for cyclists to use safely and the plans going forward for Darlington and other nearby suburbs are for them to become pedestrian and cycle friendly villages. We are a community that is conscious of the environment and we would like to make sure that we continue to support greener environmental practices.
Finally, the University has a car park at the Seymour Centre just 5 minutes walk away from the APD site and it never reaches capacity. In fact our observations show that it is mostly only two thirds full on any given day. Therefore, the car park and the access road to it are not at all necessary.

7. Pedestrian safety - the University intends to place the access road to the development on Abercrombie Street, despite past promises by the Vice Chancellor that it would be moved to Darlington Lane for safety reasons. Darlington Public School is only 80 metres from the proposed access road entrance. Many children from Darlington Public School walk to and from school past the access road entrance. Having the access road entrance on Abercrombie Street would pose an unacceptably high risk of injury or death to young children. Any access road to the development should be moved to Darlington Lane, Codrington Street or Rose Street.
The University has responded to this by saying that it proposes to construct a pathway between University buildings already on Abercrombie Street and the large new buildings behind them for schoolchildren to access the primary school. This would be unacceptable because it is contrary to Stranger Danger rules - "Stay on the heavily travelled streets, where there is lots of activity." Schoolchildren should be able to walk along Abercrombie Street where they can be clearly seen without being endangered by the traffic using an access road.
The University has also said that it cannot locate the access road entrance on Codrington Street as "Codrington Street is currently under investigation as a possible location for the
future light rail system" and that the development has "a pedestrian and cyclist activity focus" on Codrington Street.
Light rail does not currently exist on Codrington Street and there is no evidence to suggest it will in the medium term. It should therefore not be considered in this design. Even if it were to be built, there is no reason why cars and light rail cannot share the road as they do in Hay Street in the city where cars use the same road to access a car park on Parker Street, Haymarket.
With regard to pedestrian access and amenity space at the main entrance of the development, the site layout can be amended to move the driveway to one side or other of the "front door" with sufficient room for pedestrian access and amenity space.
I do not believe that a currently non-existent light rail or the pedestrian access and amenity space at the main entrance are good enough reasons to put young children at risk by placing the access road entrance on Abercrombie Street next to the school.

8. Impact on education - It is likely that this development will take much more than 12 months to complete. The frequent construction noise, vibration and dust will significantly interfere with the learning of students at Darlington Public School. The scientific literature states that chronic exposure to noise raises "hormone secretion and in children impairs reading comprehension and long-term memory and may be associated with raised blood pressure ".

9. Impact on existing buildings - If this development proceeds then there will be extensive excavation works taking place on the site as well as an extensive period of time for the construction. The University should undertake and provide high-level Dilapidation Reports by suitably qualified structural engineers to all owners of all residences in Abercrombie Street and Darlington Road before any work begins. The University should also guarantee that it will cover all costs related to any damage to human health, education, building structures, trees and other flora, and goods owned by residents, caused by the work.

10. Student Housing - The revised plans show Student Housing on Abercrombie Street adjacent to the Primary School from the ground level to level 4, making it 5 storeys high, with a total floor area of 6858sqm. According to the University, a further 200 students will be living on Abercrombie Street.
Mandelbaum House will be dwarfed by the height and scale of this building which will sit adjacent to it on Abercrombie Street. This building also does not in any way fit in with the heritage terrace houses opposite it.
We would like to see the student housing reduced in its size so that it is no taller than Mandelbaum House and re-designed in a way to fit in sympathetically with the heritage streetscape.

11. Impact on environment - There are several Mechanical cooling and heating towers proposed to service this development. It is likely that at least some of this plant equipment will be operating 24 hours per day. The noise from this kind of plant equipment is likely to interfere with the sleep of local residents and therefore their quality of life. This is not acceptable to the residents of Darlington. No-one should have to tolerate this kind of disruption to their lives.

12. Impact on University Staff and Students -The negative impact will not be just on the local community. The staff at the University are being forced to accept drastic cuts in numbers so that the University can afford to pay for a Business School mainly for full fee-paying overseas students.
Staff are losing their jobs and all students will have their quality of education compromised as a result of the University funding this massive new development.

13. Construction times - The hours of operations on the construction site are planned to be:
Monday to Friday 7:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday 7:00am - 5:00pm
No work Sundays and Public Holidays

The City of Sydney's hours of operations for any construction site in the Darlington area are:
Monday to Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 7:30am - 3:30pm
No work Sundays and Public Holidays

We must insist that the hours of operation during construction comply with those of the City of Sydney.

I trust that you will take my objections into consideration when making your assessment of this application.

Yours faithfully,

John Gain.

---

I am a parent at Darlington Public School.



My child is 5 years old.



I walk / ride and use scooters along Abercrombie Street to get to and from school. I also drive to school and park on Abercrombie Street where I then walk to the school gate on Abercrombie Street. I often need to park down the road past the school and walk along the footpath where the proposed car park entrance is.



I do not walk / ride / use scooters / park and walk along Codrington Street.



I am very concerned that the development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street.



Car park entrance be moved to Codrington Street

I request the car park entrance to be moved to Codrington Street. I do not agree with the reasons given in Appendix L Traffic Report (section 3.5) why the entrance cannot be in Codrington Street (`possible future light rail and pedestrian access and amenity to the development's main entrance').



Light rail does not currently exist and there is no evidence to suggest it will in the medium term so should not be considered in this design. Even if it Ire to be built, there is no reason why cars and light rail cannot share the road as they do in Hay Street in the city where cars use the same road to access a car park on Parker Street, Haymarket. With regard to pedestrian access and amenity space at the main entrance of the development, the site layout can be amended to push the driveway to one side or other of the "front door" with sufficient room for pedestrian access and amenity space.



I do not believe that a currently non-existent light rail or the pedestrian access and amenity to the main entrance are good enough reasons to put young children at risk by placing the drive way on Abercrombie Street next to the school.



In the alternate, additional safety measures for the driveway on Abercrombie street.

The assumption that the provision of pedestrian access through the site to a new school gate will be sufficient to avoid pedestrian vehicle conflicts is incorrect. Many children will still use Abercrombie Street as their access route to the school (including those that arrive by car but walk from the car to the gate on Abercrombie Street) and as such the car park entry will need to be as safe as possible for children crossing if it can not be moved to Codrington street.



Safety mechanisms need to be in excess of what is currently provided at Maundelbaum House as there will be more cars coming and going compared to that driveway. Maundelbaum House has a roller door and flashing lights to stop cars and warn children that a car will be crossing.



In addition to the following, I request that an independent traffic and driveway assessment is undertaken.



Traffic Lights

If the car park entrance is to be on Abercrombie Street, I request that a mechanism to ensure that cars both entering and exiting the car park will stop to let the children cross. I believe that the only way to satisfactorily provide this is with traffic lights at the car park entrance.



Flashing Beacon

In the alternate to traffic lights I request a flashing beacon which is triggered by a sensor as a car goes to exit. This would give warnings to both the children and drivers.



Signage to cars

No matter what safety measure is used I request it is still included in the design (as stated in the application) that there will be a line and a clear sign to give way to pedestrians and to watch out for kids.



Markings on footpath

This is not currently included in the design but I believe that this is a necessary inclusion. The recommended markings would be for yellow cross hatching rather than a zebra crossing on the footpath as this would be confusing (i.e. treating a footpath as a road). I also suggest that the driveway should be a lighter colour on the footpath with lines painted on the footpath either side to clearly indicate to children to stop and look at that point.



Vacant car space indicator

Additional safety can be achieved by reducing the number of cars that enter the car park. This can be done by using electronic indicators stating the number of spots available to drivers before they enter the car park, thus avoiding cars entering to look for an unavailable spot (and then exiting in frustration and a hurry).



Boom gates

I do not see a boom gate as a sufficient safety measure as boom gates can potentially be more dangerous than nothing as people get the go ahead from the boom gate and then don't stop at the footpath. Also if boom gates are on the ramped section of the entrance drivers are likely to accelerate more from stopped and be faster at the footpath. If they are at the base of the ramp then it is too far to have an impact when the car reaches the footpath. I ask that boom gates are not included as a safety measure in the design.



Summary of safety measures of driveway on Abercrombie Street

In summary, I request that the car park entrance is moved to Codrington Street. If the car park entrance is on Abercrombie Street I request traffic lights to be installed, or in the alternate, a flashing beacon to warn children of approaching cars. In either case I also request signage, street markings and an available space indicator. I also support the suggested gradient.

Sincerely
Georgina Watney

I accpet the University need to develop their site and create additional spaces for students.

I do object however to the scale of the development and the impact of this scale on the character of Abercrombie Street. The proposed scale and massing of the student accomodation block adjacent to Darlingtn Public School will dwarf all the existing buildings in the street. The current nature of Abercrombie street is a Victorian residential avenue, the terrace houses on the southern side of the street delinaeate the scale and character of the physical environment. The height and the massing of the accomodation blocks will destroy this character and the terrace houses will become a visual anomoly in an otherwise commercial zone. I am reminded on the Woolahra boundary to Westfield Bondi Junction; the remnants of federation streetscapes in Chatswood.

I equally object to the proposed vehicular access on Abercrombie Street. This will substanitally increase traffic on a residential street that already carries the majority of through traffic for the Darlington Precinct. Through traffic is currently directed from Wilson street, up Golden Grove and into Abercrombie street. The new vehicular access point will make the traffic situation far worse.

as a parent of a child at Darlington public school I make the follwing objections to the current plan

I am a parent with a child attending Darlington Public School.

I am very concerned that the development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street. I am fervently opposed to it.

I drive to school and park on Abercrombie Street where I then walk to the school gate on Abercrombie Street. I often need to park down the road past the school and walk along the footpath where the proposed car park entrance is.

The car park entrance must be moved to Codrington Street. I do not agree with the reasons given in Appendix L Traffic Report (section 3.5) why the entrance cannot be in Codrington Street (`possible future light rail and pedestrian access and amenity to the development's main entrance'). I work in the city between central and museum stations. I see and experience the light rail, road and pedestrian use in action, as such I do not see any truth to your position here.

The main issue for me is the car park entrance. In my experience drive ways are confusing for children and adults alike. Where I work drive ways have flashing and or sounding devices to alert people in the area of the moving vehicle.

Further we live in an area with shared pathways (cars, bikes and people) and my experience is that cars do not always give way and people can be confused over who has right of way.

No one wants to see an incident/accident involving primary school children. Please move the planned car park entrance and by doing so you will alleviate the very real fear that parents have over this issue.

Further my experience of city living is to reduce the need for cars and increase the use of public transport yet over the years parking for students and visitors to Sydney University appears to have expended with every development

Please reconsider your position on the car park entrance and move it to Codrington Street.

Yours sincerely

Joanne

MP 07_0158 - Abercrombie Street Precinct, Syd Uni

Construction impacts

Significant issues were raised in earlier consultation in relation to the noise impacts of the project's demolition and construction phase on the Darlington Public School. The proponent's response relies on the Marshall Day Noise Impact Statement (Appendix I). This report incorrectly measures the baseline data for the Darlington Public School from Abercrombie Street (page 5). Like most schools - the buildings are 'closed' to the streets and face the playground side - which is also the boundary with the development. The baseline should be measured from midway along the site boundary between the school and the construction site. Using baseline data from Abercrombie Street makes the existing survey inadequate and any assumptions based on this data are incorrect. The survey should be redone to ensure accurate and meaningful data is used to manage and mitigate the noise impacts on the school, both when children are in the buildings and in the playgrounds.

The current noise mitigation measures are based on `notifying' neighbours of the proposed construction activities, and consultation `as necessary'. The consent conditions need to strengthen this approach and ensure more specific work scheduling options and respite for school, that will:

1/ ensure the University is responsive to the school's operational requirements
2/ include when "limiting the hours of high levels of noise or vibration" - that this also state that activities which create disruptive/intrusive levels of noise or vibration for Darlington Public School will be undertaken outside school hours ie before 9 am and after 3 pm Monday to Friday or in school holidays
3/ provide respite periods from certain noise levels for examination periods and certain outdoor activities and events at the School.

The University has again completely failed to consider the potential impacts of the construction's noise, dust and vibration on the school children during those times of the day when they are not within a school building. This issue was raised in previous consultation by the parents, Darlington S&C, the Department of Planning and the State Metropolitan Development Authority. Measures need to be included in the consent conditions that ensure the safety and amenity of the children within the school grounds and in the buildings.

MP 07_0158 - Abercrombie Street Precinct, Syd Uni

Construction impacts

Significant issues were raised in earlier consultation in relation to the noise impacts of the project's demolition and construction phase on the Darlington Public School. The proponent's response relies on the Marshall Day Noise Impact Statement (Appendix I). This report incorrectly measures the baseline data for the Darlington Public School from Abercrombie Street (page 5). Like most schools - the buildings are 'closed' to the streets and face the playground side - which is also the boundary with the development. The baseline should be measured from midway along the site boundary between the school and the construction site. Using baseline data from Abercrombie Street makes the existing survey inadequate and any assumptions based on this data are incorrect. The survey should be redone to ensure accurate and meaningful data is used to manage and mitigate the noise impacts on the school, both when children are in the buildings and in the playgrounds.

The current noise mitigation measures are based on `notifying' neighbours of the proposed construction activities, and consultation `as necessary'. The consent conditions need to strengthen this approach and ensure more specific work scheduling options and respite for school, that will:

1) ensure the University is responsive to the school's operational requirements

2) include when "limiting the hours of high levels of noise or vibration" - that this also state that activities which create disruptive/intrusive levels of noise or vibration for Darlington Public School will be undertaken outside school hours ie before 9 am and after 3 pm Monday to Friday or in school holidays

3) provide respite periods from certain noise levels for examination periods and certain outdoor activities and events at the School.

The University has again completely failed to consider the potential impacts of the construction's noise, dust and vibration on the school children during those times of the day when they are not within a school building. This issue was raised in previous consultation by the parents, Darlington S&C, the Department of Planning and the State Metropolitan Development Authority. Measures need to be included in the consent conditions that ensure the safety and amenity of the children within the school grounds and in the buildings.

MP 07_0158 - Abercrombie Street Precinct, Syd Uni

Construction impacts

Significant issues were raised in earlier consultation in relation to the noise impacts of the project's demolition and construction phase on the Darlington Public School. The proponent's response relies on the Marshall Day Noise Impact Statement (Appendix I). This report incorrectly measures the baseline data for the Darlington Public School from Abercrombie Street (page 5). Like most schools - the buildings are 'closed' to the streets and face the playground side - which is also the boundary with the development. The baseline should be measured from midway along the site boundary between the school and the construction site. Using baseline data from Abercrombie Street makes the existing survey inadequate and any assumptions based on this data are incorrect. The survey should be redone to ensure accurate and meaningful data is used to manage and mitigate the noise impacts on the school, both when children are in the buildings and in the playgrounds.

The current noise mitigation measures are based on `notifying' neighbours of the proposed construction activities, and consultation `as necessary'. The consent conditions need to strengthen this approach and ensure more specific work scheduling options and respite for school, that will:

1) ensure the University is responsive to the school's operational requirements

2) include when "limiting the hours of high levels of noise or vibration" - that this also state that activities which create disruptive/intrusive levels of noise or vibration for Darlington Public School will be undertaken outside school hours ie before 9 am and after 3 pm Monday to Friday or in school holidays

3) provide respite periods from certain noise levels for examination periods and certain outdoor activities and events at the School.

The University has again completely failed to consider the potential impacts of the construction's noise, dust and vibration on the school children during those times of the day when they are not within a school building. This issue was raised in previous consultation by the parents, Darlington S&C, the Department of Planning and the State Metropolitan Development Authority. Measures need to be included in the consent conditions that ensure the safety and amenity of the children within the school grounds and in the buildings.

This entire project concerns me as a resident of darlington, i witness the flood of students every day & the disregard they have for traffic, residents & disposal of litter. I dread to think of the amount of students will bring. Darlington is a little & old area. I feel strongly that a development like this would be better suited on the other side of city road where the characterises of the area would better suit a development of this kind. With its high volume of users & higher that average architecture. I feel that this would for ever damage the nature of what is a small & quiet community.

I also I have two children at Darlington Public one 4 & the other 7 & will be staying at the school for at least 6 more years.

We a few times a week we either ride, walk or use scooters from Ivy St along Abercrombie Street to get to and from school. on the other days I drive to school and park on Abercrombie Street where I then walk to the school gate on Abercrombie Street. I often need to park down the road past the school and walk along the footpath where the proposed car park entrance is.

I almost never walk / ride / use scooters / park and walk along Codrington Street.

I am extremely concerned that the development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street.

Car park entrance be moved to Codrington Street
I request the car park entrance to be moved to Codrington Street. I do not agree with the reasons given in Appendix L Traffic Report (section 3.5) why the entrance cannot be in Codrington Street (`possible future light rail and pedestrian access and amenity to the development's main entrance').

Light rail does not currently exist and there is no evidence to suggest it will in the medium term so should not be considered in this design. Even if it Ire to be built, there is no reason why cars and light rail cannot share the road as they do in Hay Street in the city where cars use the same road to access a car park on Parker Street, Haymarket. With regard to pedestrian access and amenity space at the main entrance of the development, the site layout can be amended to push the driveway to one side or other of the "front door" with sufficient room for pedestrian access and amenity space.

I do not believe that a currently non-existent light rail or the pedestrian access and amenity to the main entrance are good enough reasons to put young children at risk by placing the drive way on Abercrombie Street next to the school.

In the alternate, additional safety measures for the driveway on Abercrombie street.
The assumption that the provision of pedestrian access through the site to a new school gate will be sufficient to avoid pedestrian vehicle conflicts is incorrect. Many children will still use Abercrombie Street as their access route to the school (including those that arrive by car but walk from the car to the gate on Abercrombie Street) and as such the car park entry will need to be as safe as possible for children crossing if it can not be moved to Codrington street.

Safety mechanisms need to be in excess of what is currently provided at Maundelbaum House as there will be many more cars coming and going compared to that driveway. Maundelbaum House has a roller door and flashing lights to stop cars and warn children that a car will be crossing.

In addition to the following, I request that an independent traffic and driveway assessment is undertaken.

Traffic Lights
If the car park entrance is to be on Abercrombie Street, I request that a mechanism to ensure that cars both entering and exiting the car park will stop to let the children cross. I believe that the only way to satisfactorily provide this is with traffic lights at the car park entrance.

Flashing Beacon
In the alternate to traffic lights I request a flashing beacon which is triggered by a sensor as a car goes to exit. This would give warnings to both the children and drivers.

Signage to cars
No matter what safety measure is used I request it is still included in the design (as stated in the application) that there will be a line and a clear sign to give way to pedestrians and to watch out for kids.

Markings on footpath
This is not currently included in the design but I believe that this is a necessary inclusion. The recommended markings would be for yellow cross hatching rather than a zebra crossing on the footpath as this would be confusing (i.e. treating a footpath as a road). I also suggest that the driveway should be a lighter colour on the footpath with lines painted on the footpath either side to clearly indicate to children to stop and look at that point.

Vacant car space indicator
Additional safety can be achieved by reducing the number of cars that enter the car park. This can be done by using electronic indicators stating the number of spots available to drivers before they enter the car park, thus avoiding cars entering to look for an unavailable spot (and then exiting in frustration and a hurry).

Boom gates
I do not see a boom gate as a sufficient safety measure as boom gates can potentially be more dangerous than nothing as people get the go ahead from the boom gate and then don't stop at the footpath. Also if boom gates are on the ramped section of the entrance drivers are likely to accelerate more from stopped and be faster at the footpath. If they are at the base of the ramp then it is too far to have an impact when the car reaches the footpath. I ask that boom gates are not included as a safety measure in the design.

Summary of safety measures of driveway on Abercrombie Street
In summary, I request that the car park entrance is moved to Codrington Street. If the car park entrance is on Abercrombie Street I request traffic lights to be installed, or in the alternate, a flashing beacon to warn children of approaching cars. In either case I also request signage, street markings and an available space indicator. I also support the suggested gradient.

yours sincerely

Dominic de Beaujeu

This entire project concerns me as a resident of darlington, i witness the flood of students every day & the disregard they have for traffic, residents & disposal of litter. I dread to think of the amount of students will bring. Darlington is a little & old area. I feel strongly that a development like this would be better suited on the other side of city road where the characterises of the area would better suit a development of this kind. With its high volume of users & higher that average architecture. I feel that this would for ever damage the nature of what is a small & quiet community.

I also I have two children at Darlington Public one 4 & the other 7 & will be staying at the school for at least 6 more years.

We a few times a week we either ride, walk or use scooters from Ivy St along Abercrombie Street to get to and from school. on the other days I drive to school and park on Abercrombie Street where I then walk to the school gate on Abercrombie Street. I often need to park down the road past the school and walk along the footpath where the proposed car park entrance is.

I almost never walk / ride / use scooters / park and walk along Codrington Street.

I am extremely concerned that the development proposal has the entrance to the carpark on Abercrombie Street.

Car park entrance be moved to Codrington Street
I request the car park entrance to be moved to Codrington Street. I do not agree with the reasons given in Appendix L Traffic Report (section 3.5) why the entrance cannot be in Codrington Street (`possible future light rail and pedestrian access and amenity to the development's main entrance').

Light rail does not currently exist and there is no evidence to suggest it will in the medium term so should not be considered in this design. Even if it Ire to be built, there is no reason why cars and light rail cannot share the road as they do in Hay Street in the city where cars use the same road to access a car park on Parker Street, Haymarket. With regard to pedestrian access and amenity space at the main entrance of the development, the site layout can be amended to push the driveway to one side or other of the "front door" with sufficient room for pedestrian access and amenity space.

I do not believe that a currently non-existent light rail or the pedestrian access and amenity to the main entrance are good enough reasons to put young children at risk by placing the drive way on Abercrombie Street next to the school.

In the alternate, additional safety measures for the driveway on Abercrombie street.
The assumption that the provision of pedestrian access through the site to a new school gate will be sufficient to avoid pedestrian vehicle conflicts is incorrect. Many children will still use Abercrombie Street as their access route to the school (including those that arrive by car but walk from the car to the gate on Abercrombie Street) and as such the car park entry will need to be as safe as possible for children crossing if it can not be moved to Codrington street.

Safety mechanisms need to be in excess of what is currently provided at Maundelbaum House as there will be many more cars coming and going compared to that driveway. Maundelbaum House has a roller door and flashing lights to stop cars and warn children that a car will be crossing.

In addition to the following, I request that an independent traffic and driveway assessment is undertaken.

Traffic Lights
If the car park entrance is to be on Abercrombie Street, I request that a mechanism to ensure that cars both entering and exiting the car park will stop to let the children cross. I believe that the only way to satisfactorily provide this is with traffic lights at the car park entrance.

Flashing Beacon
In the alternate to traffic lights I request a flashing beacon which is triggered by a sensor as a car goes to exit. This would give warnings to both the children and drivers.

Signage to cars
No matter what safety measure is used I request it is still included in the design (as stated in the application) that there will be a line and a clear sign to give way to pedestrians and to watch out for kids.

Markings on footpath
This is not currently included in the design but I believe that this is a necessary inclusion. The recommended markings would be for yellow cross hatching rather than a zebra crossing on the footpath as this would be confusing (i.e. treating a footpath as a road). I also suggest that the driveway should be a lighter colour on the footpath with lines painted on the footpath either side to clearly indicate to children to stop and look at that point.

Vacant car space indicator
Additional safety can be achieved by reducing the number of cars that enter the car park. This can be done by using electronic indicators stating the number of spots available to drivers before they enter the car park, thus avoiding cars entering to look for an unavailable spot (and then exiting in frustration and a hurry).

Boom gates
I do not see a boom gate as a sufficient safety measure as boom gates can potentially be more dangerous than nothing as people get the go ahead from the boom gate and then don't stop at the footpath. Also if boom gates are on the ramped section of the entrance drivers are likely to accelerate more from stopped and be faster at the footpath. If they are at the base of the ramp then it is too far to have an impact when the car reaches the footpath. I ask that boom gates are not included as a safety measure in the design.

Summary of safety measures of driveway on Abercrombie Street
In summary, I request that the car park entrance is moved to Codrington Street. If the car park entrance is on Abercrombie Street I request traffic lights to be installed, or in the alternate, a flashing beacon to warn children of approaching cars. In either case I also request signage, street markings and an available space indicator. I also support the suggested gradient.

yours sincerely

Dominic de Beaujeu

see attached