Sydney Harbour Bridge bike ramp plan revealed

Fresh plans have been revealed for a bike ramp at the Milsons Point end of the Harbour Bridge. However, the designs have already been declared an eyesore by some.

Transport officials have released concept images for a new Sydney Harbour Bridge bike ramp amid concerns from north shore residents and councillors.

Transport officials have released concept images for a new Sydney Harbour Bridge bike ramp amid concerns from north shore residents and councillors.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance on Monday said the number of cyclists crossing the bridge could more than double over the next 10 years years under plans to create a smoother journey for cyclists at the northern end of the bridge at Milsons Point.

The first option is a linear ramp that would wind its way through the treetops of Bradfield Park before connecting to Alfred St opposite QE Foodstores.

An artist impression of one of the proposals.

The second option is a double-looped ramp that would be built on the former Milsons Point bowling club - currently used for a range of community events and activities.

Transport for NSW has ruled out alternative proposals put forward by residents and North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson which they hoped would reduce impacts on local green space.

These included a lift and travelator - something Transport for NSW said would “not solve safety or congestion issues” and were not supported by the Heritage Council of NSW.

A concept plan of the ‘linear’ option.

Converting a lane of traffic on the Sydney Harbour Bridge into a cycleway was also ruled out due to impacts on the road network.

“These are both great options to open up the cycleway from the north, but first we want to have a conversation with the community about a preferred solution over the coming months,” Mr Constance said.

“Whichever ramp is built, the project will include improvements at ground level for the safety of local pedestrians and cyclists who commute through Milsons Point and North Sydney.

Community feedback is currently open on both proposals.

FRIDAY

Long-running plans for a new bike ramp on the northern end of Sydney Harbour Bridge have taken a new turn with design options showing the project could take up a chunk of a popular north shore green space.

Transport for NSW is in the process of circulating design possibilities for ramped bike access linking Milsons Point to the iconic bridge in a move it hopes will boost the number of cyclists crossing the Coathanger to more than 2000 each day.

The department has not publicly released its design options, but the North Shore Times understands one of the proposals is to create a circular double loop ramp on the former Milsons Point Bowling Club south of Milsons Point Station.

A concept plan of the looped ramp released by Transport for NSW in 2017. The proposal is not the same as the current design option.

Other options include a ramp leading off the bridge through the treetops of Bradfield Park before connecting to Alfred St, opposite QE Foodstores.

Cycling groups who have long-lobbied for the project say a ramp would provide a smoother journey for cyclists who currently have to dismount and carry their bikes up and down 55 steps between Burton St and the Harbour Bridge.

But the latest proposals have sparked concerns among local residents and councillors due to impacts on Bradfield Park and the bowling club greens – the latter of which is used for community events including Kirribilli Markets and incorporates La Capannina restaurant.

Peak hour for cyclists involve carrying bikes up and down the bridge.

The bridge allows bike commuters to travel between the north shore and the CBD.

Julia Connor is among the Milsons Points residents who have attended meetings with Transport for NSW to view the design options and described the proposals as an “eyesore” that were a “carbon copy” of earlier proposals released in 2017 that were met with strong opposition due to loss of green space and heritage impacts on the bridge

“They were told in 2017 they had to back to the drawing board, and what they’ve produced is a variation on a theme. It was a circular ramp in 2017 and now it’s more of an oval shape – there’s nothing new about the thought or the need behind it,” she said.

“There seems to be a drive for cyclists to not have to dismount anywhere and they’re willing to sacrifice huge amounts of open space for transitory cyclists who go through north and south.

A concept plan of another design option released back in 2017.

“We have very little green space – the park and the bowling greens are used by dog walkers, people sit there, it’s used by schools. Anything that mucks up our gardens the community will protest against.”

Transport for NSW said it was committed to delivering cycling access improvements at both ends of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, beginning with the northern end access at Milsons Point

“Delivering a cycleway that integrates with such an iconic asset as the bridge is complicated. It requires Transport for NSW, local councils, the community and cyclists to work together to achieve the best outcome.

“We will shortly begin engaging the wider community in respect to options for the northern access upgrade.”

The bowling greens are used for various community events and activities.

Craig Richards, the chief executive of Bicycle Network which has been lobbying for the ramp, said the proposal would facilitate rising numbers of commuters travelling to work via bike in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We shouldn’t have had to wait so long for such a vital upgrade (and) the coronavirus bike boom has given us the perfect opportunity to finish the plans,” he said.

North Sydney councillors this week supported a motion by Mayor Jilly Gibson to object to any proposal that “has a deleterious impact on our precious parkland and detracts from the heritage significance of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.”

The land at the bowling green was granted to the council in the 1930s to offset the impacts of the construction of the Harbour Bridge and Warringah Fwy and was designated “for public parks and for public recreation”.

Cr Gibson said the project warranted “new ideas” including a possible designated lane for cyclists on the eastern side of the Harbour Bridge.

“If the Western Harbour Tunnel reduces traffic on the bridge as predicted, then a dedicated cycling lane can easily be accommodated,” she said.

“This lane also feeds the Cahill Expressway, which has been touted as a possible pedestrian highline rather than road.”

North Sydney Council said potential loss of parkland would exacerbate the shortage of green space in the local government area – reflected in density figures showing the region has one hectare of open space per 557 people, compared to one hectare per 80 people in Ku-ring-gai and 220 people per hectare in Willoughby.

Ms Connor called on Transport for NSW to come up with other proposals including a travelator or lifts that could be used by cyclists at the western side of the bridge.