Parriwi Rd millionaires force rat run closure used by northern beaches commuters

VIDEO: A popular shortcut used by northern beaches drivers has been shut down by Mosman Council to improve the amenity on a millionaires’ row — and the amount of time it is set to add to commuters trips has left them ‘super frustrated’.

A POPULAR shortcut used by northern beaches drivers has been shut down by Mosman Council to improve the amenity on a millionaires’ row, adding up to 40 minutes to the southbound drive.

Lights have been installed on a short phase which allows about three cars through per sequence at The Spit East Carpark, which leads into Parriwi Rd, essentially trapping drivers in a carpark after crossing The Spit Bridge.

Mosman Council has put traffic lights at the corner of Parriwi rd near the Spit Bridge. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

A number of drivers told the Manly Daily the changes had added about 40 minutes to their morning commute since coming into effect last Tuesday.

Sam Ellis, 24, who used to have a four-minute drive along Sydney Rd to his workplace at Middle Harbour Yacht Club said it had taken him up to 45 minutes to get there since the changes.

“I am just sitting in traffic 100 metres out from my workplace,” he said.

Sam Ellis, 24, says it has added 40 minutes to his trip to work at the Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

“All I know is it is taking me 10 times the amount it used to, to get to work and the same with everyone else here — we are all super frustrated.”

Manly Vale resident Steven Lee, 39, said he had experienced major delays after being trapped in the carpark.

“The people on Parriwi Rd are complaining too many cars are going though in the morning but with the traffic like it is around here we have to find ways to get to work a bit faster,” he said.

Mosman Council’s director of environment and planning Craig Covich said the council had tried a series of measures to stop rat runners before installing lights.

The rat run at Parrawi Rd has been popular among southbound commuters.

“This carpark has been used by rat runners avoiding Spit Rd for numerous years following a reorientation of the car park by the Roads and Maritime Services,” he said.

“Installation of a stop sign and boom gate had failed to deter the stream of rat runners forcing council to resolve to install lights to restore the amenity of Parriwi Rd residents.”

Mosman Council has put traffic lights at the corner of Parriwi Rd near the Spit bridge. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

Mr Covich said the new lights had caused significant delays. But he said he was “satisfied that the lights are performing their duty as requested by council, deterring motorists from using local roads and local carparks as unsafe rat runs”.

“Council will continue to work with the RMS to iron out any teething problems once traffic conditions return to pre-rat run conditions,” he said.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said his council had not been informed about the changes.

He said he would use a scheduled meeting on Wednesday to have an “honest and frank” discussion with Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan.

Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan Picture: Adam Yip/ Manly Daily

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan. Picture: (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

“I will be talking to our state members to make them aware of the lack of consultation with this council and the northern beaches community,” he said.

“We shouldn’t be doing anything in isolation from each other, as it is such an important road corridor.

“I think the consultation has been disingenuous if it hasn't included the northern beaches.”

Manly state MP James Griffin said the extensive delays were “completely unacceptable”.

“I will, of course, advocate for people that are experiencing those sort of delays in getting to work,” he said.

“I will be discussing this with my next door neighbour (North Shore MP Felicity Wilson) and making sure she understands the challenges my constituents are facing.”