Woodside business owners angry over intersection upgrade that would remove 13 carparks

Business owners in the Adelaide Hills are fighting back against plans to upgrade an intersection, saying the move will drive customers away from local shops.

Business owners met with Dan Cregan over concerns to remove 13 carparks from the street. Picture: Dean Martin

A plan to remove more than a dozen car parks for upgrades at a notorious Adelaide Hills intersection has been slammed by businesses, who say the changes will drive customers away without resolving the traffic issues.

The state government has proposed upgrades for the staggered T-intersection of Onkaparinga Valley, Tiers and Nairne roads in Woodside, which would include the construction of a pedestrian refuge near the Woodside Library and a sheltered right turn on to Tiers Rd.

A total of 13 car parks would be removed to improve the double dog-leg intersection, which has long frustrated residents

Woodside Newsagency owner, Lexi Chassiotis, fears the removal of the car spots would see people go elsewhere and leave her older clients struggling with a longer walk.

How the proposed Woodside intersection upgrade would work. Picture: Dept of Transport

Locals say upgrades are needed to address the heavy traffic in the area but they wanted to see a “more serious” solution such as a traffic lights or a realignment of Tiers Rd.

“If there was something to the south and there was a break in that traffic we wouldn’t have a bank up at Tiers Rd trying to turn right,” Ms Chassiotis said.

Kavel MP Dan Cregan said the community spent years campaigning for upgrades but more funding and a better solution were needed.

A state government spokesman said all community feedback will be considered but warned a more expensive option “will not necessarily deliver a more satisfactory solution to local traders, as widening the intersection without impacting the car parks would necessarily mean acquisition of existing businesses”.