Trains, trams, rapid buses to be considered as part of long-term transport strategy for northern beaches
CARS are killing us. That is the message from Northern Beaches Council as it releases its transport discussion paper, titled Move.
Manly
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CARS are killing us. That is the message from Northern Beaches Council as it releases its transport discussion paper, titled Move.
Among a number of options to be considered to get people out of their cars and into public transport is an expansion of the Manly area’s Hop Skip & Jump buses across the peninsula.
Another vital link and a key focus for the council is to lobby the State Government for an east-west rapid transport, whether that be a metro rail line, B-Line type buses or the tram-style electric buses known as GETS.
The Guided Electric Transit Systems have been long touted as a viable solution by Mayor Michael Regan but he said he would not rule anything in or out until the community had its say.
He said traffic congestion was crippling the northern beaches, with the Pittwater/Spit/Military Rd corridor the most congested in Sydney and Warringah Rd already exceeding capacity.
“More than half our households have more than two motor vehicles and three out of five local residents use a car to get to work,” Cr Regan said.
The council’s 53-page report highlights the impact traffic has on not only the northern beaches but Australia’s economy.
“According to a 2015 Infrastructure Australia report, northern beaches’ traffic congestion costs the national economy more than $48 million,” the report said.
It said freight movements on the beaches were constrained due to the state of our major roads, hindering business growth.
Cr Regan said the main focus for the council was an east-west mode of transport between Chatswood and Dee Why via the new Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest.
“Macquarie Park is a major employment centre — the fastest-growing in Sydney — but it takes an hour and 20 minutes on the 197 bus to travel 20km from Mona Vale,” he said.
“The Dee Why to Chatswood route is a major transport corridor and home to the Northern Beaches Hospital but it takes over an hour on the 136 bus to travel 14km.
“Traffic will only get worse unless we improve public and active transport options and links so the community has a reason to get out of their cars.”
The average afternoon peak traffic speed on The Spit Bridge is 13km/h and Warringah Rd traffic averages 30 to 40km/h during the week.
About 60 per cent of northern beaches residents use their car to get to work.
And forecasts show that by 2036 the number of residents will increase by 46,250, meaning a public transport solution is vital.
“In the school holidays there is six per cent less people driving but look how much of a difference that makes,” Cr Regan said.
“If we can convert just six per cent of the car users into public transport that makes a huge difference.
“If it is quick, cheap and efficient and roughly the same as using a car, why wouldn’t you?”
Among some of the plans to ease the traffic burden is a bus that goes express between Warringah Mall and Manly Wharf. It would allow people to get off the B-Line and straight to Manly Wharf to get to Circular Quay.
“If we could get that going it might free up seats on the bus for passengers further beyond Manly Vale,” Cr Regan said.
He said the Hop Skip & Jump bus — a free service that moves people around the former Manly council area — could be used by the government as a model for expansion.
The on-demand bus trials in Manly and Pittwater to get to and from the B-Line was another example.
THE MAJOR DISCUSSION POINTS:
A metro rail line from Chatswood to Dee Why is one of many options discussed, along with light rail.
Road-based solutions to east-west congestion could include electric tram-style buses or a rapid bus system similar to the B-Line.
Expansion of Manly’s Hop Skip & Jump Bus or a similar model across the entire northern beaches.
Most plans hinge on promised infrastructure improvements including the Beaches Link tunnel and Mona Vale Rd widening.
The report points to a move away from cars by building better walking and cycle paths — partly achieved by the under-construction Manly to Palm Beach walkway.
The 30-minute city concept raised by the Greater Sydney Planning Commission would mean people live within a 30 minute journey of their workplace. The council has raised Frenchs Forest,
Dee Why and Brookvale as sites for more job development.
Increased online delivery will mean more trucks on the northern beaches. It is a challenge given the 19m height limits on The Spit Bridge and Warringah Rd.
A review of parking would include but not be limited to: better carshare platforms and ensuring parking permit schemes are fair and balanced.
SHOULD THE NORTHERN BEACHES HAVE A TRAIN?
RAIL has been put back on the table by Northern Beaches Council as one of the best solutions to traffic congestion.
But it comes with a warning that any costly infrastructure project, including a metro line connecting Dee Why to Chatswood, would come at the expense of high-rise.
“New light rail and metro options to the city and Chatswood could provide faster connections,” the council’s transport discussion paper said. “Densities of the areas surrounding stations would likely be required to justify government investment.”
Mayor Michael Regan said: “We would have a non road-based solution in an ideal world but the reality is we are not going to get one without all the problems that come with it.”
A transport corridor will be needed in Frenchs Forest to cope with increased density around Northern Beaches Hospital. Road upgrades under way would allow for 3000 more dwellings.
But Cr Regan said meeting the 10,000 dwellings hoped for by the State Government would not happen without better infrastructure. He suggested another mode of public transport could be tram-style electric buses.
“Warringah Rd is quite wide, there is potential to alter it sufficiently so there is a middle lane down the road,” he said. “The majority of that road has that potential opportunity, from Dee Why to Frenchs Forest and to the Roseville Bridge.”
HAVE YOUR SAY:
THE power is in the hands of residents to mould a transport network that suits them.
The council’s transport discussion paper aims to stimulate input into a 20-year strategy for the region.
“We are open to all options and all suggestions,” Mayor Michael Regan said.
“I am not going to rule anything in or out. I don’t want to commit council without more discussion.”
In a bid to get people out of cars, a number of ideas have been put forward including rail, more rapid buses, light rail or electric buses.
“This discussion paper is an opportunity for our residents to help guide council’s advocacy of both the NSW Government and commercial transport providers to improve the northern beaches transport network,” Cr Regan said.
“The council’s size and strategic capacity make us a capable partner with the NSW Government agencies and transport providers and enables us to have a strong voice for our community.”
He said community input was essential to ensure a future transport strategy that reflected local priorities.
From resident feedback over the next two months the council will form a strategy to then go on public exhibition. Plans would be finalised by August.
A number of activities where residents can have their say will take place including drop-in sessions, listening posts and an online survey.
Have your say at northernbeaches.nsw. gov.au