Ramsgate beach business owners are outraged over a decision to change traffic conditions along the shopping strip.
Rockdale Council earlier this year announced the first stage of a revitalisation program in the area that will include new car and pedestrian access, new lighting and street furniture.
One-way traffic will also be introduced to improve circulation.
But that has angered business owners who said they were only consulted about the plans just before they were finalised.
Steven Bouzanis owns four buildings along the strip and said business would suffer if the Chuter Avenue exit was shut and one-way traffic introduced.
‘’It will just bring total traffic chaos,’’ he said.
‘’People come here to duck in and grab a paper and a coffee. If they have to keep driving around they will just get frustrated and leave.
‘’Having one-way traffic will lose us half our business.’’
It’s a sentiment that Steve Bebawy shares.
He runs Cafe Figaro and Beretta Cafe and Pizza Bar.
‘’A lot of people come here for the ease of parking,’’ he said.
‘’This end will just suffer because we’ll lose all the passing traffic.
‘’Every shop owner I’ve spoken to doesn’t want the wide footpath.
‘’The two-way traffic gives much more freedom while the one-way will just have cars backed up back to back.’’
The Centre Pharmacy owner Ram Guirguis said the strip should be left as it is.
‘’All it needs is a uplift not a redesign,’’ he said.
‘’The pharmacy industry is already struggling so any other blow will impact on us.’’
Chicken Ace owner George Mourlas is also worried about truck deliveries.
At the moment trucks stop out the front of the shops since there is no back lane.
‘’I’d be happy if they kept it the way it is,’’ he said.
‘’I definitely think it will affect trade.’’
Terry’s by the Bay Meats manger Brad Metters has worked at the family-owned shop for 11 years.
‘’I don’t like the idea of them closing up the exit,’’ he said.
‘’Only the footpath needs a bit of a upgrade.’’
They are calling on Rockdale Council to abandon its plans and keep the traffic conditions the same.
A Rockdale Council spokesman said despite the opposition they would go ahead with the current plans.
He said the changes were introduced to stop car and pedestrian accidents and to bring the carpark up to Australian standards.
‘’The new design has been modelled by a traffic consultant and will improve and simplify traffic flow, whilst also improving pedestrian safety,’’ he said.
‘’Access to the spaces in front of the western-most stores has not been inhibited, and more to the point, pedestrian access to the stores at the Chuter Avenue corner is improved, with wider footpaths and a paved plaza.
‘’Council will proceed with the construction of the project as currently documented.
‘’Once the project is complete the traffic flow and pedestrian accessibility to stores will be monitored.’’
Do you think the changes will impact on businesses?
