Sydney commute times double as Transport for NSW urged to rethink traffic light phasing changes, bus priority lanes

‘Red hot anger’ is brewing in Sydney’s north as fed up motorists say their peak hour commute times have doubled thanks to the bungled opening of a multi-billion road project.

Fed up northern Sydney motorists say their peak hour commute times have blown out by up to 100 per cent as the bungled opening of the Rozelle Interchange pushes traffic problems in the inner west into suburbs previously unaffected by bumper to bumper gridlock.

Transport for NSW is facing renewed pressure to address major congestion from the multimillion interchange project that residents say has exacerbated city commute times on the Victoria Rd and Burns Bay Rd corridors.

Since opening late last year, the interchange has made headlines for causing major congestion through the inner west as motorists are funnelled on and off the Anzac Bridge.

Under intense public pressure to find a solution, Transport for NSW responded by making various changes to Victoria Rd including rephrasing traffic lights to hold traffic back at intersections north of the Iron Cove Bridge in a move to ease the flow of traffic through Balmain and Rozelle.

But residents in Sydney’s north say instead of solving the program, the changes have pushed the congestion further back on Victoria Rd.

A photo of heavy traffic on Victoria Rd near the Rozelle Interchange.

Dale Bailey, a UNSW professor who travels to work via Victoria Rd, said his typical 25 minute morning commute has become a 45 minute affair.

“A lot of people are frustrated because instead of actually trying to find a solution all they’ve done is kick the problem down the road,” he said.

“People are stuck in traffic – you can sense the frustration on the road – and a lot of people are now using backstreets to avoid Victoria Rd which has caused even more problems.”

Travel times have blown out on Victoria Rd.

Simon Gatward, a member of a local Drummoyne residents group, said the traffic light changes on Victoria Rd have “split the suburb in two” as local residents face lengthy travel times when travelling around their local suburb.

The impacts on commute times are also causing “red hot anger” for motorists in suburbs such as Hunters Hill, Drummoyne and Ryde, according to Hunters Hill mayor Zac Miles.

Mr Miles is now leading a push for Transport for NSW to rethink traffic changes on Victoria Rd including rephrasing of traffic lights to prioritise local traffic over those exiting from toll roads.

Hunters Hill Mayor Zac Miles

Traffic light phasing has caused anger from commuters in Sydney’s north.

Mr Miles also wants Transport for NSW to scrap recent changes to bus priority lanes on Victoria Road which previously operated in peak periods, but now extends during the day.

“The state of Victoria Road is unacceptable and the community is paying the price for what’s been a really clunky implementation of infrastructure,” he said.

Lane Cove State Liberal MP Anthony Roberts said heavy congestion on Victoria Rd has forced many residents in suburbs such as Gladesville, Ryde and Lane Cove to reconsider their commuting options to avoid the traffic gridlock.

A photo of traffic on Victoria Rd across the Iron Cove Bridge.

“People are leaving at 6.30am or delaying getting into town after peak hours and that has a big impact for families who also have to drop off kids at school and childcare,” he said.

NSW parliament is due to hold the first round of hearings from Wednesday as part of an inquiry into the impacts of the Rozelle Interchange.

Canada Bay Council general manager John Clark – in a submission to the inquiry – said the Drummoyne area has experienced “significant disruption to its daily life, characterised by increased traffic congestion and decreased local road functionality.”

Roads Minister John Graham said he welcomed the inquiry.

“While the interchange has delivered significant time saving for motorists coming from Sydney’s west, Transport for NSW has worked hard to make changes, including new lanes and traffic light phasing to keep local traffic moving in the most efficient way possible post-opening. Advice to me has been the system will need six months to settle,” he said in a statement.

“The publication of travel times has given local motorists the information they need and allowed them to consider re-timing trips to avoid the worst of the midweek peaks.

“We always encourage people to consider the public transport alternatives where it is possible. The Victoria Road bus lanes have been a success in improving bus travel times and bus priority and will be part of the long-term solution.

“The public deserves to know what led Liberal government ministers to promise the inner-west and the rest of Sydney that there would be 50 per cent less traffic on Victoria Road once the interchange opened.”