Manly, Bilgola road changes sparks protests and church backlash over funeral and wedding fears

Traffic changes for the peninsula has sparked complaints from a church, as Bilgola residents protest.

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A church minister says plans to turn busy roads in Manly’s CBD into cycle lanes and outdoor dining spaces could leave funeral and wedding cars with nowhere to park.

Reverend Bruce Clarke from St Matthews Church on The Corso said the proposed trial is “absurd” and will be “a disaster”.

Meanwhile, residents in the north are also fighting a proposal to turn The Serpentine in Bilgola, into a shared space with cyclists and pedestrians by reducing the speed limit from 40km/h to 10km/h, as well as reducing traffic to one lane at some points.

Residents say the idea is crazy and will not improve the safety of pedestrians and will see traffic back up.

In total, the two proposed trials, which will be funded in part by grants from the NSW Government’s Streets and Shared Spaces scheme, has attracted more than 650 submissions.

The idea behind the scheme is to provide new temporary safer areas for pedestrians and cyclists during COVID, and to give restaurants more space for outdoor dining.

The Bilgola proposal is also part of the Northern Beaches Council’s new coastal walk.

The deadline for submissions has now been extended until November 22.

The Reverend Bruce Clarke speaking removing the first brick at St Matthews Church on the Corso. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

Rev Clarke told the Manly Daily he was concerned about the impact on funeral and wedding parties, as well as the reduction of loading bays and parking for businesses along The Corso, and disruption when garbage trucks stop every day.

He said with Darley Rd reduced to one lane at one section, cars will back up behind the 15 garbage trucks that stop to collect rubbish from businesses daily and the donations from the charity clothing bins beside the church.

“As the plans stand at the moment funeral and wedding cars will come and will struggle to be able to park,” he said. “They could be circling trying to find a place to stop.”

The proposed changes on Darley Rd will see it reduced to one lane at the lower end. Picture: Northern Beaches Council.

He added that he was also concerned for elderly or disabled churchgoers.

“The impact will practically be that there is nowhere in this inner section of the Corso for cars to safely stop and drop off or pick up disabled or elderly people, many of whom seek to access the church for our services and ministries,” he said.

Meanwhile, some businesses are also understood to be unhappy with the plans fearing a loss of trade for those who can’t park.

The owners of Manly Emporium say reduced traffic options through the CBD will also put pressure on East Esplanade where they intend to takeover part of a lane for 18 months as part of their $10m redevelopment project due to start next year.

On top of that, with Belgrave St reduced to one lane southbound between Raglan St and Sydney Rd, Rev Clarke said it could cause major traffic jams.

“It will be a disaster,” he said.

“It’s just absurd.”

Norm Nolan, a resident on The Serpentine, said locals protested about the proposed changes for Bilgola at the weekend.

He said while improvements for pedestrians were needed along the road, this plan would not improve it.

“This idea is crazy,” he said.

“It will be a serious inconvenience to residents and visitors, more importantly there has been no consultation with emergency services or garbage contractors.”

Another resident Sharon Soars said it will affect residents, visitors, people dropping off their kids at nippers and those stopping at the cafe.

“The idea is to encourage cyclists, but the cyclists come through here in packs of about 30, at about 30 to 40km/h,” she said.

“With all the chicanes and plant pots they are going to put in the road to slow traffic down they won’t come through here at all.

“It’s a nonsense.”

Cr Candy Bingham said the period for consultation has been extended and said the councillors did not have to accept the funding from State Government for either trial if there was too much opposition.

She said she was pleased the consultation period had been extended as it would mean the changes could not go ahead before the busy summer period in Manly.

Northern Beaches Council CEO Ray Brownlee said the community has called for safer

safer spaces for pedestrians and cycling and the state government funded Streets as Shared Spaces program aims to do just that.

The intent of the Bilgola scheme is to also reduce the incidence of The Serpentine being used as a rat run by those avoiding the Bilgola Bends.

“The trial of a shared road space along The Serpentine at Bilgola is aimed at not only improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, but also the amenity for local residents as well,” he said.

“One of the issues being raised is about the proposed 10km zone and this, along with other concerns, will be considered as we assess community feedback.”

Manly Warringah Cycling Club has said previously spoken out in support of safer cycling options and approves of the Manly plans.

To make a submission go to northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.