Residents say no to speed humps

Council proposed a traffic calming scheme in the Bexley North and Kingsgrove precinct in response to community concerns regarding introducing a toll on the M5 East motorway and the impact on local streets.

During the community engagement for the Bexley North and Kingsgrove precinct, requests were made for some additional treatments in Shaw Street, Laycock Street and Coveney Street.

These proposals were assessed during a second round of community engagement and a report was prepared for Council's consideration at the council meeting in May.

Three residents spoke against the Laycock and Coveney Street recommendation at the council meeting and one resident made a written submission against the proposal.

Resident Anastasios Hormovas said he thought the proposed speed humps were unnecessary.

"Since I heard speed bumps were proposed to go in front of my home, I was disappointed," he said.

"Looking at the structure of my street, any car turning into it has to slow down to take that corner, so there is no requirement for a speed bump to slow them down.

"Everyone in my street was against speed humps. They would be unnecessary."

Bayside Council mayor Joe Awada said councillors listened to residents' concerns and voted not to proceed with the proposed traffic measures in Laycock Street and Coveney Street.

The proposal for Shaw street will go ahead.

Kogarah MP Chris Minns said residents he spoke with claimed the speed bumps would make their streets less accessible, less attractive, and reduce safety as cars speed through local streets as if they were an obstacle course.

"Locals believe there are better places where the money could be spent, for example, on dangerous traffic black spots. Or where there are bends that create blind spots. Or uneven footpaths, which are an issue for people using walking frames or mobility scooters," he said.

"Make no mistake: Gladys Berejiklian's massive new toll on a road that was always free is the cause of all these traffic problems. We have to sacrifice our money to pay her toll, but we shouldn't have to sacrifice our quality of life as well."