Transport for NSW faces backlash over contentious road rule changes for Hunters Hill

A plan to change the road rules in a northern Sydney town centre has been labelled by the local mayor as ‘cataclysmic’ with fears it will leave hundreds of residents facing lengthy detours to access their homes.

A plan to change the road rules in Hunters Hill has been labelled by the local mayor as “cataclysmic” with fears it will leave hundreds of residents facing lengthy detours to access their homes.

Transport for NSW is facing resistance over a proposed shake-up of the town centre’s road by introducing a ban on right hand turns from Joubert St South onto Gladesville Rd.

The changes would impacts homes south of the Hunters Hill shopping strip and effectively block motorists from turning right on to Gladesville Rd to access the Hunters Hill peninsula and the city via Burns Bay Rd.

Instead, motorists would have to make a detour through Hunters Hill which some locals say could add an extra 20 minutes on to their peak hour commute times.

Hunters Hill Mayor Zac Miles labelled the proposal as the “worst traffic change” he has ever seen for the local government.

A photo of the intersection where right hand turns would be banned.

“It’s utter madness because it’s the only city bound access point for those homes and if you cancel that turn they’ll have to shimmy around making detours on backstreets,” he said.

“It will make commutes cataclysmically worse and push traffic congestion to another part of the road network which will inevitably lead to commuters and cars misbehaving as they try and make three point turns on driveways and illegal U-turns.”

Residents on social media said the changes could also impacts morning schools runs for residents who need to make right hand turns to drop children at schools including Hunters Hill High School.

Hunters Hill Mayor Zac Miles

The changes would impact homes south of Gladesville Rd.

But according to Transport for NSW, the changes have been designed to ease congestion and improve safety for pedestrians.

Proposed detour routes by Transport for NSW show motorists could use alternate routes such as Howard Place or De Milhau Rd which the department claimed would add “about four minutes” to travel times.

“The intersection experiences heavy congestion and delays due to current traffic flow movements through the area,” the department stated.

“(The changes will) reduce vehicle movements at the intersection to improve safety and traffic congestion around the Burns Bay Rd entry and exit ramps.”

The proposed changes would ban right hand turns on to Gladesville Rd.

Resident Roderick van Gelder on social media said the changes were “total insanity” and could “move the problem” of traffic congestion on to other roads.

Another resident Matt Hoy said the ban on right hand turns was “completely unnecessary” and called for Transport for NSW to “spend money on something more important and useful please”.

In a statement, Transport for NSW said it was currently considering the feedback from the community and “opportunities to refine the proposal”.

“Transport for NSW has been working with council on potential safety improvements at the intersection (and) will update the community on this proposal later this year,” a spokesman said.

Mr Miles said he was seeking an urgent meeting with Transport for NSW in a bid to have the current plan withdrawn.

He said the changes could also exacerbate commute times for motorists accessing the CBD which have also been impacted by the Rozelle Interchange.