THE possibility of providing a new access road into Cronulla will be investigated as part of a long-overdue traffic study.
Tonkin Street and Searl Road, which are separated by Tonkin Oval on the southern side of the railway line, would be joined under the proposal.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay said during a visit to Cronulla the state government had contributed $40,000 towards the Sutherland Shire Council study.
Mr Gay said as well as looking at the possibility of the new access road, the study would identify deficiencies in the existing traffic system, improvements at key intersections and assess the impact of the proposed new local environmental plan (LEP).
He said that the council was contributing an equal amount to the study and would manage the project, including consultation.
Cronulla MP Mark Speakman said the area had "unique traffic problems that cause a lot of angst for residents, visitors and businesses".
"Cronulla is obviously an extremely popular beach area and recreational centre, but the CBD is on the narrow neck of a peninsula and there are only two small roads in to and out of South Cronulla," he said.
"South Cronulla residents in particular are keen to see improvements."
GRIDLOCK DURING PEAK
Little has changed, apart from the volume of traffic, since a narrow laneway behind the Cronulla shopping centre was converted into a road in the 1960s.
The top end of Croydon Street, adjoining the railway station, is now one of the main access points to central and south Cronulla.
Yet it still has only one lane in each direction, leading to gridlock during busy periods.
What traffic improvements would you like to see at Cronulla?
