CHANGED traffic conditions to allow wider footpaths for dining in Gerrale Street, Cronulla, have been labelled a ‘‘planning disaster’’.
Resident Robert Garnett said the changes would make it more difficult for motorists to get in and out of the suburb.
‘‘Gerrale Street, a Cronulla main access road, at Ocean Grove Avenue, is being reduced in width by some 1.8 metres to cater for footpath diners,’’ Mr Garnett said. ‘‘The result of this planning disaster will be additional driving time into Cronulla.’’
Sutherland Shire councillor Kevin Schreiber agreed there was a problem. He referred the matter to the council’s general manager and is asking for more information from traffic engineers.
‘‘I had a look at it and I think it is a problem for traffic but also for car parking,’’ Cr Schreiber said.
‘‘Cronulla is a bottleneck already, without making it more so.’’
Mr Garnett said if just one vehicle driver decided to make a right turn at Ocean Grove Avenue, traffic could be banked up down to and through the traffic lights on the corner of the Kingsway and Gerrale Street.
‘‘South Cronulla residents are already frustrated at the time taken to drive through Cronulla to get home,’’ he said. ‘‘Planning approvals for Cronulla should improve road access into Cronulla, not make access more difficult.
‘‘Increased traffic congestion because of this planning decision will cause visitors to boycott Cronulla.
‘‘The result will be fewer customers for Cronulla businesses.
‘‘I don’t believe that many Cronulla residents are aware of what is actually happening to this road.
‘‘When they do, they are going to be furious and wanting to know how these plans were approved by council.’’
Mr Garnett met with ward councillors and asked the council to reconsider the changes.
‘‘There was plenty of room to have a right-hand turn into Ocean Grove Avenue and to have two lanes,’’ he said.
‘‘Under the new arrangements, by coming out 1.8 metres, they have completely obliterated one lane.
‘‘I am not thinking of Cronulla in 2015.
‘‘I am thinking of Cronulla in 2020 when there will be more high-rise and more visitors.
‘‘We will be stuck with this stupid little one-lane and right-hand turn for southbound vehicles into Ocean Grove.
‘‘It will only get worse with more traffic and chaos.
‘‘Cronulla will be grid-bound.’’
What do you think of the changed traffic conditions in Gerrale Street, Cronulla?
