B-Line traffic changes on Military Road draw ire from businesses
BUSINESSES are banding together to protest a raft of traffic changes planned along Military Road to make way for the B-Line bus route.
Mosman
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BUSINESSES are banding together in a bid to stop a raft of traffic changes in the lower north shore to make way for the B-Line bus route.
A petition has gathered more than 100 signatures against just one of the proposals in Neutral Bay.
It would see vehicles being banned from turning left into Ben Boyd Rd, at The Oaks Hotel.
Celebrity chef Damian Heads, who owns Woodland Kitchen & Bar on Grosvenor St, is one of the signatories.
He pointed out that the closure of the left turn was going to have a negative ripple effect through the Neutral Bay area and impact the businesses in his street.
“There is no forethought when it comes to industry in the area and how the backbone of the industry works. It just makes no sense,” Mr Heads said.
He explained that trucks would have to make a longer trip on the side streets to make their way to Grosvenor Lane, which was used for deliveries for the hub of businesses in the area.
He said it would also affect people who were being dropped outside the restaurant by taxi, as they wouldn’t be able to make the turn into Ben Boyd Rd from Military Rd.
Instead, the cars would be pushed towards Young St.
“I feel they are making a fix with the bus lane but not considering the on-flow,” Mr Heads said.
The petition was organised by resident Joanna Milburn.
“This is the lifeline for these local businesses; banning the left turn on to Ben Boyd (Rd), and hence access to Grosvenor Lane, will be a logistic nightmare and ultimately affect the bottom line of these businesses,” Ms Milburn said.
The businesses on the list include Helen Rodrigues bridal, Mortgage Choice, Neutral Bay Dental Surgery and Boudoir Lash Bar.
In Cremorne, there is also growing dissent about the relocation of a bus stop currently outside the shopping centre and potential loss of on-street car parking spaces.
Hairdresser Ulrik Funch has been at his premises, at 271 Military Rd, for 45 years.
His business, U4Hair, has many elderly customers who depend on the on-street parking.
“There’s great gain for the northern beaches and great pain for Mosman, Cremorne and Neutral Bay,” Mr Funch said.
“If they (customers) can’t park easily nearby, they are not going to come.”
Mr Funch estimated he could lose up to 30 per cent of his trade as a result of the planned changes in the area.
He would not like to see businesses closing down.
“We are losing sleep and stressed over it,” he said.
“It’s a unique piece of shopping with lots of local businesses.
“It would be awful and sad to see that disappear. Over the years it will.”
Meanwhile, a planned protest against the B-Line in Mosman was called off after B-Line staff held a last-minute meeting with the organiser.
Business owner Peter Kelaher, of PK Property, said the plans for the permanent M30 bus lay over in Military Rd would destroy businesses and parking between Spit Junction and the Mosman Fire Station.
Mr Kelaher said the B-Line staff listened to his concerns in the meeting but he remained sceptical.
A spokesman for Transport for NSW said it had a “positive discussion” with Mr Kelaher to understand his concerns and would continue to work with him.
The project team is also continuing to liaise with other residents and businesses to minimise impacts.
AUSSIES NEED TO COOL KOHLI
“No decision of proposed road infrastructure works for Neutral Bay/Cremorne/Mosman will be made until all submissions are assessed,” the spokesman said.
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