Residents rally against bus route, stops proposed for Alana Dr, West Pennant Hills

A SLEEPY suburban street in Sydney’s north west could turn into busy bus corridor if CDC Hills Bus moves ahead with its plans for a new route.

Sophie Hopwood, 10, poses for photographs holding a sign protesting the proposed bus stops for Alana Dr, West Pennnant. West Pennant Hills. Picture: AAP Image / Angelo Velardo

THE sleepy suburban street of Alana Drive could turn into busy bus corridor if CDC Hills Bus moves ahead with its plans for a new route.

More than 90 residents signed a petition calling on The Hills Shire Council to reject plans for three bus stops to be installed along their street. The change would see 60 buses a day travel the route.

Amy Athar submitted the petition to council, telling the Times residents had not been properly consulted.

“CDC Hills Bus contacted five residents in Alana Dr to inform them of the new service and proposed bus stops,” Ms Athar said.

Amy Athar and other Alana Dr residents signed a petition to prevent bus stops going in at Alana Dr, West Pennnant Hills. Picture: AAP Image / Angelo Velardo

“They told us that a new timetable meant Alana Drive would be used for a new route.

“The letter implied that this was happening and there was no chance to oppose it, we thought everyone in the street received it, but when we started asking around, no one had any idea what was happening.”

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Hills councillor Samuel Uno said the decision from CDC Hills Bus to not consult all residents was a failure.

“If CDC Hills Bus had not done the bare minimum and engaged all residents of Alana Drive, maybe they would have had more support for their proposal,” he said.

Hillsbus was blasted for not providing adequate community consultation for the proposal. Picture: AAP Image / Angelo Velardo

Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne said there was no proposal before council.

“Residents have never had a bus in their street and have not been provided with any justification as to why this proposal has been submitted,” Cr Byrne said.

A spokesman for the bus company said it had recently investigated three new bus stops in the street, “with residents at the proposed stops and adjacent houses consulted”.

Alana Dr residents signed a petition to prevent bus stops going in at Alana Dr, West Pennnant Hills. They don't want these bus stops to be installed outside their homes because of a lack of consultation. Picture: AAP Image / Angelo Velardo

“Hillsbus is currently assessing the feedback received and has not yet made any application to council to endorse these proposed stops,” he said.