Hoxton Park Road bus lane upgrade set to go ahead despite concerns
Work will continue on plans to introduce new bus lanes linking Liverpool with the future Western Sydney Airport, despite major issues for locals and business owners.
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The State Government will forge ahead with a proposal to upgrade Hoxton Park Rd to cater for future rapid bus services connecting Liverpool to Western Sydney International Airport.
Transport for NSW wants to convert existing kerb lanes into dedicated bus-only lanes on Hoxton Park Rd between Banks Rd and Cowpasture Drive, and construct a new lane in the centre median in both directions for general traffic.
The changes are part of the government’s plans to support rapid bus services between Liverpool and the airport before it opens in 2026.
Under the plans, only left-in and left-out turns will be allowed at the intersection of Hoxton Park Rd and Dorrigo Ave.
The change would prevent road users crossing three lanes of traffic and improve safety, according to Transport for NSW.
But the restriction has local business owners at Hoxton Park Shopping Centre worried patronage will decline because access to the shops via Dorrigo Ave will be limited.
Currently, vehicles can turn right from Hoxton Park Rd into Dorrigo Ave to access the shops, and they can also turn right from Dorrigo Ave back on to Hoxton Park Rd.
Residents are also concerned the change will place pressure on local roads and other intersections.
A consultation report released by Transport for NSW confirmed the agency will proceed with the plans after an independent review was carried out on design options.
Twenty-three submissions were received in response to the design, including a petition with 400 signatures objecting to the proposed left-in, left-out only arrangement.
According to the report, a study found the traffic movements at the Hoxton Park Rd and Dorrigo Ave intersection during peak hour were too low to justify signalising the intersection, as suggested by locals.
“The traffic study revealed that average peak hour right turn movement from Hoxton Park Rd into Dorrigo Ave is 48 and the average right turn movement from Dorrigo Ave into Hoxton Park Rd is 41,” the report stated.
“The traffic on Hoxton Park Rd would be expected to be more congested if an additional signalised intersection was proposed to be built between the existing ones.”
Community campaigner Michael Andjelkovic said he was disappointed Transport for NSW had not “taken into consideration” the views of shop owners and hundreds of locals who opposed the changes.
There were also concerns patients and staff at the community health service next to the shopping village would be adversely affected, he said.