Council backflip on proposal to reopen Warwick Pde, Castle Hill

Residents have won their battle to prevent a Sydney council from reopening their suburban street to the outside world — after a strong petition of more than 100 signatures was issued last week

Residents in Warwick Pde, Castle have been concerned about a council proposal to reopen the street to through traffic. Picture: Supplied

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Residents have almost won their battle to prevent the Hills Shire Council from reopening their street to the outside world — after a strong petition of more than 100 signatures was issued last week.

Last month, council officer suggested reopening Warwick Pde, Castle Hill to through traffic after a study reviewed “safety and traffic volumes in the areas of Parsonage Rd and Warwick Pde, Castle Hill”.

A poll of residents conducted by the Hills Shire Times revealed an overwhelming 92 per cent of respondents said the street should remained closed.

A leaked Hills Shire Council report said, following community engagement, council had decided to retain restrictions on access to the residential street.

“The purpose of the program was to seek the community’s views on a proposal to remove the four single lane raised thresholds in Parsonage Rd, re-open Warwick Pde to through traffic at the intersection of Parsonage Rd, and adjust the entry threshold at the intersection of Warwick Pde and Verletta Ave,” the report said.

Residents are concerned the reopening to through traffics will lead to accidents.

“After receiving feedback from the community, it is proposed that the four single lane raised

thresholds in Parsonage Rd be removed but the restrictions on access at the intersection

of Warwick Pde and Parsonage Rd should be retained.

“It is also proposed that no changes be made to the entry threshold at the intersection of Warwick Pde and Verletta Ave.”

On Tuesday last week, Hills Shire councillor Samuel Uno issued council with the petition on behalf of residents.

Cr Uno attended meetings with residents alongside Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne and councillors Ryan Tracey, Tony Hay and Alan Haselden.

Cr Tracey said the proposal had “caused alarm to the residents and young families in the street and surrounds”.

“Without an appropriate traffic study and precinct wide traffic plan the proposal to open this narrow road to through traffic would be considered premature and against the community’s wishes,” he said.

Councillors will vote on the proposal on Tuesday, November 27.