Motorists fume after Botany Rd, Wentworth Ave changes

Motorists who have battled gridlock on Botany Rd this week want authorities to intervene after road upgrades near Sydney Airport resulted in disastrous consequences.

The rail bridge over Wentworth Ave at Mascot. Picture: RMS

• Housing changes still to come
• Row over Taste of Coogee Festival

Motorists travelling north at Botany and Mascot have queued for hundreds of metres during the morning peak following the airport east precinct upgrades, which took effect on Saturday.

The works have extended Wentworth Ave west to General Holmes Drv, and replaced the General Holmes Drive rail crossing with a rail bridge over the extended Wentworth Ave.

Northbound motorists on General Holmes Drv have been provided three lanes to turn right into Wentworth Ave.

However many motorists have appeared unaware of the upgrade.

They have continued to turn right earlier from General Holmes Drv into Mill Pond Drv.

This turn has been reduced to one lane, which has resulted in many cars causing congestion for northbound motorists on Botany Rd.

Botany motorist James Cullen experienced the logjam and believed many motorists were unaware of the changes.

“There has been a lot more traffic on Botany Rd which seems incredible. That one lane has created such an issue,” he said.

Mr Cullen believed the problem could be fixed by no longer allowing motorists to turn right from General Holmes Drv into Mill Pond Drv.

This would force motorists to travel ahead and turn right at Wentworth Ave.

“I think that would help a great deal,” Mr Cullen said.

However Bayside Cr Scott Morrissey, who also lives at Botany, was not so sure.

“If you did that it will impact on people who need to turn right into Botany Rd,” he said.

“They would have to go to Wentworth Ave and double back.”

He believed more driver education was needed.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said there had been poor communication to motorists.

“The government needs to do a better job explaining how the changes benefit motorists. It’s been a frustrating few days for motorists,” he said.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury. Picture: Chris Pavlich

“This sort of congestion is unacceptable, especially during the school holidays.”

Transport for NSW executive director for Sydney, John Hardwick, said it may take time for motorists to get used to the changes.

“Yesterday morning and this morning’s peaks have improved with traffic increasingly entering Wentworth Ave from the new three right turn lanes on General Holmes Drive,” he said.

He said Transport for NSW would monitor the roads and make changes if necessary.

A spokesman for RMS said 10,500 local residents received a notice about the changes.

There were also newspaper ads, web and social media updates, emails as well as electronic message signs and directional signs.

The Mill Pond Rd intersections with General Holmes Drv and Botany Rd were also improved as part of the upgrade, according to Roads and Maritime Services.

The upgrade also widened Joyce Drv and General Holmes Drv between O’Riordan Street and Mill Pond Road to three lanes in each direction.