Motorists navigate rollercoaster-style experience at The Parade in Norwood, as tree roots increasingly distort road surface

Beloved trees planted in the 1980s are growing out of control under a busy street in Norwood, leaving drivers a choice between swerving or risking the many road bumps. Vote in the poll.

Strap in for a bumpy ride and beware of swerving cars when driving on The Parade in Norwood, where out-of-control tree roots have buckled the road surface.

The road has been increasingly bent out of shape by the roots of ironbark trees, planted by the local council in the mid 1980s, lining the median strip between Fullarton Road and Portrush Road.

Resident of nearby Kensington Park, Nic Hayes said, “you almost need a four-wheel drive to get through there, because it is just up and down, up and down the whole way.”

The 51-year-old PR professional said some people are overly protective of the trees, which is to the detriment of local infrastructure.

Roots from the trees have buckled the lanes on The Parade. Picture: Dean Martin

Driving in the right-hand lane beside the median strip under the 60k/h speed limit, The Advertiser at one stage found the right half of its vehicle briefly airborne when visiting the busy Norwood street on Friday.

A Department for Infrastructure and Transport spokesman said the department “will be correcting the worst affected areas in the coming months”.

The department will reseal the full 1.6km stretch between Fullarton and Portrush Road to even out the surface, but only after the council finalises its masterplan for the street.

Construction of the masterplan designs will begin in 2027, according to the council’s website.

Traffic on the Parade Norwood navigating the buckled road. Picture Mark Brake

Frequent Norwood visitor Bill Burns, 68, said the street was dangerous because drivers faced a choice between driving over the roots on the right-hand side or crossing over to the left-hand side as traffic flows to avoid them.

“Your head can nearly hit the roof sometimes,” he said.

Derrimut 24:7 Gym Norwood worker Oli Wright agreed, saying: “I feel like I really need to focus when I’m driving in case I swerve into the left lane. It’s a bit risky,” he said.

Angelica Brown, store manager of A Star is Worn, said preserving the street’s beautiful trees was her priority.

“It’s better to alter human behaviour than it is to tamper with nature,” she said. “People need to not speed, and the trees are important to keep there.”

The roots have created a rollercoaster style experience for motorists. Picture: Dean Martin

The road looks warped as drivers navigate the large bumps. Picture Mark Brake

Lisa Mara, general manager of governance and civic affairs at City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council, said the trees “are very much loved by the community as they contribute to The Parade’s unique identity and sense of place”.

The council owns and maintains the trees and median strip, while the Department for Infrastructure and Transport owns and maintains the street.

Ms Mara could not confirm when the masterplan process will have progressed enough for the road to be resealed.