Ku-ring-gai Council faces backlash from Lindfield residents over footpath upgrades

A footpath battle has broken out as separate groups of residents jostle with their local council over pedestrian upgrades – with some locals calling for ‘common sense to prevail’.

A footpath battle has broken out in Lindfield.

A footpath battle has broken out in suburban Lindfield as separate groups of residents jostle with their local council over pedestrian friendly upgrades on their street.

Residents of Loombah Ave have launched a petition opposing an $80,600 plan by Ku-ring-gai Council to rip up sections of the grass nature strip on their street to make way for a concrete footpath.

Concerns by residents include visual “harshness” of the concrete footpath along with the environmental concerns of replacing turf with concrete.

But four kilometres away, on the other side of the suburb, residents of Bradfield Rd say they have been “crying out” for a footpath on their street.

The busy road – which backs on to the CSIRO headquarters – currently has a grass verge, which according to residents forces many pedestrians onto the main road.

Photos of Bradfield Rd in Lindfield, where residents want a footpath

Bradfield Rd residents say the lack of footpaths forces some pedestrians onto the roadway.

There are now calls for the council to redirect funding from Loombah Ave – where residents are staunchly opposed to a footpath – to Bradfield Rd – where a footpath would receive a warmer welcome.

Ian Stuart, a long-term resident of Bradfield Rd, said locals have been lobbying for the footpath for the last 10 years.

A photo of a street adjoining Bradfield Rd which is afforded a footpath.

A photo of Bradfield Rd in Lindfield.

“Bradfield Rd is long and twisty and tends to attract motorists who enjoy testing out their speed,” he said.

“In the absence of a footpath there are pedestrians having to walk onto the road and are endangering themselves, including people pushing strollers, walking dogs and people in motorised wheelchairs.

“We also get quite a lot of walkers who use the road to access the Lane Cove National Park.

“We have enough of a verge to accommodate a footpath and it’s something all the residents have been crying out for.”

A photo of Loombah Ave, where residents are opposed to a footpath.

“The council says they have a matrix about which streets get upgraded and we don’t know why we don’t qualify. At this stage it feels like it could be next century before we get one in.

“If residents in other streets such as Loombah Ave don’t want the footpath, we’d be very pleased if the funds saved could be allocated to Bradfield Road.”

A resident of Loombah Ave, who has organised the petition to Ku-ring-gai Council opposing the footpath, said there was “no justification” for a concrete path on his street.

“The grass verge is one of the nice features of the quiet avenue and it adds to the character of the street,” he said.

“The first we heard about it was when we got a letter through the door and the council is saying it’s their policy to put in footpaths on roads leading to schools and shops

“But we don’t lead to shops and the street doesn’t lead directly to a school.”

“We don’t want the footpath, it’s unnecessary and we’re hoping common sense will prevail.”

Local councillor Sam Ngai has supported a footpath on Bradfield Rd, saying it serves as the major thoroughfare for West Lindfield and West Killara residents who visit Lane Cove National Park.

“It was especially popular during Covid and if I had the choice I would put it high up the list,” he said.

Ku-ring-gai Council in a statement said the proposed footpath on Loombah Ave was being reconsidered.

A council spokeswoman said a footpath on Bradfield Rd was “not currently a priority based on council’s footpath assessment criteria”.

“Council has received feedback from residents of Loombah Ave which will soon be reported to council for consideration,” a spokeswoman said. “If construction does proceed, it will be completed by June 2024.

“The council conducts an assessment based on various criteria when deciding where to install new footpaths. These include proximity to locations such as shops, train stations, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and parks where they are needed most, with a focus on improving pedestrian safety.”