Move to stop brazen drivers rat-running through Parriwi Rd, Mosman to avoid Military Rd

GETTING out of a driveway is a hazard for residents in this Mosman street due to a surge of impatient rat-runners trying to avoid Military Rd.

RESIDENTS and Mosman Council have called on Roads and Maritime Services to install $50,000 traffic lights at the Spit East carpark to stop drivers from using Parriwi Rd as a rat-run.

Drivers have been speeding through the 50km/h narrow and winding road, residents claim, to avoid a clogged Military Rd during peak hour.

“These vehicles have only one aim, to get to the top of Parriwi Rd and merge into Spit Rd as fast as possible,” resident Robert Clemesha said.

“They overtake everywhere – over double lines and before blind corners.

“The fact that there hasn’t been an accident is just good luck or an act of God or something.”

Parriwi Rd residents are concerned and want drivers to be discouraged from using the rat-run. Picture: Annika Enderborg

There is no left-hand turn from Military Rd onto Parriwi Rd. However, alterations to the Spit East carpark exit in 2011 enabled left turns onto Parriwi Rd from the carpark. This resulted in ­drivers using the road as a rat-run to bypass peak-hour traffic.

“It’s slowly getting worse ... I think some motorists see those motorists peeling off and think, ‘maybe I should see why’,” Mr Clemesha said. “It is just building up over time.

“We have observed that the number of vehicles that actually park is typically one in 100 to 200 vehicles ­entering the carpark in the morning peak.

“Ninety-nine to 99.5 per cent of the traffic are rat-runners who traverse the carpark at speed and tailgate through the exit.”

One of many drivers using the carpark exit to access Parriwi Rd. Picture: Elenor Tedenborg

Mosman Council has called on Roads and Maritime Servcies to pay for traffic lights to deter rat-runners/ Picture: Elenor Tedenborg

A boom gate and median strip were installed as a ­potential solution, however both installations have been ­ineffective.

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Residents recently recorded a video showing drivers turning into Spit East carpark from Military Rd before exiting onto Parriwi Rd, overtaking cyclists and crossing the centre line at high speeds.

“There is obviously an issue for us as residents – to try and get out of our garage in the morning is extremely hazardous,” Mr Clemesha said.

Deputy Mayor Roy Bendall says Mosman Council should be doing everything they can to solve the issue.

Deputy mayor Roy Bendall said action needed to be taken to stop rat-runners.

“Council should be doing everything possible to help the residents of Parriwi Rd before a tragedy occurs,” he said.

“The problem of rat-running throughout our ­municipality cannot be properly addressed until a tunnel is completed under the Spit Bridge.”

After a traffic investigation and a road safety audit was completed in February last year, Mosman council said it would request the RMS install traffic lights at a cost of $50,000 at the Spit East carpark.

The council said the lights should be funded by the RMS because it was ­responsible for the design of the intersection at Parriwi Rd and Spit Rd.

A spokeswoman said the RMS would work with the council to improve traffic around the area.

“Roads and Maritime supports the proposal to ­improve the traffic lights to the carpark and will await a formal application from Mosman Council to fund any proposed changes,” she said.

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