National Nightmare Commute Day: Western Sydney needs rail and road plan to tackle road congestion

Western Sydney residents travel longer and farther than other areas of Sydney — and commutes are set to get worse if nothing is done, according to a regional body representing western Sydney councils.

Western Sydney residents travel longer and farther than other areas of Sydney. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

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Western Sydney residents travel longer and farther than other areas of Sydney — and commutes are set to get worse if nothing is done, according to a regional body representing western Sydney councils.

Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils president Stephen Bali is calling for an integrated rail and road plan that will address road congestion and says a north-south transport corridor will encourage economic investment in the west.

“Western Sydney is a region of commuters. We have few public transport options and pay dearly in tolls when we are forced to drive,” Cr Bali said.

WSROC president Stephen Bali says an integrated rail and road plan is needed. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

“This situation is unlikely to change unless we reduce the CBD-centric nature of Sydney by building north-south connections that free-up cross regional travel and encourage economic investment in the west.

“Over the next 20 years half a million new residents are expected to settle in the north-south corridor between Blacktown and the Blue Mountains. A corridor that has some of the lowest levels of public transport access in Sydney.”

Cr Bali said action was needed now.

“If we do nothing, by 2036 there could be as many as 600,000 additional commuters on our city’s roads — driving to overcrowded commuter car parks or directly to work,” he said.

He is calling for a comprehensive transport infrastructure strategy that includes rail, road and “everything in between.”