Arncliffe to Banksia bike and pedestrian path proposed by Bayside Council

A new cycle and pedestrian path connecting Arncliffe to Banksia with parks has been touted - despite significant challenges - to provide more access for the growing populations.

Bayside Council has proposed a concept design for a new bike and pedestiran path. Generic picture: AAP Image/Steve Pohlner

A Sydney council wants more cyclists and pedestrians to be able to walk and ride between two growing suburbs.

Bayside Council has released a design for an Arncliffe to Banksia pedestrian and cycle link via Barton and Riverine parks.

The aim is to encourage more people – in the growing population areas – to use the large open parks.

A council report notes the project “must work within and around existing assets and infrastructure, which presents some significant challenges”.

“Achieving an improved connection will inevitably require some compromise, which needs to be the subject of discussion with the community,” the report says.

Proposed cycle and pedestrian route. Picture: Supplied

Several large developments have recently been completed in Arncliffe and Banksia and there are more in the pipeline, with council recognising the growing population “deserve safe and easy access to open spaces and other services and facilities such as the Arncliffe Youth Centre and public transport”.

Barton Park, Riverine Park and Studdert Reserve are also being renewed or have improvements planned.

The opening of the first stage of the M6 motorway – Arncliffe to President Ave, Rockdale – is projected to relieve traffic on the Princes Hwy and West Botany St to allow for the cycleway project.

“There is a case to slow traffic and improve pedestrian connectivity across the precinct,” the report says.

“Council also regularly receives requests for improved walking and cycling facilities in this area an specifically for Spring St.”

The council report notes the design relies on the installation of a signalised crossing on the Princes Hwy at Terry St and Hattersley St; which will provide a safe crossing point over the Princes Hwy.

The route would provide more access from Arncliffe and Banksia. Picture: Supplied

Transport for NSW is investigating the traffic lights but if it does not progress, the project could still proceed by using the crossing at Subway Rd, the report states.

Some of the considerations include reducing the lane widths, which was not recommended due to the larger size of vehicles using the road, and an option to remove poles by undergrounding power was not an option due to the extraordinary cost.

The implementation of the shared path along the south side of Spring St would require the removal of 20 relatively small native trees with a proposal to replace them.

There would also be a loss of about five parking spaces which is “considered a reasonable trade-off, as the street has a low underlying demand for parking due to most residents having access to off-street parking”.

The design concept includes a new section of shared pathway – 500m long and 2.5m wide – along Spring St between West Botany St and Marinea St and widening the existing pathway along Spring St by 1m for 200m between Marinea St and Princes Hwy.

Widening the existing eastern side pathway of Marinea St and Terry St to 2.5m and there would need to be additional pedestrian facilities on Spring St, the report states.

A cycle link from the Princes Hwy to Forest Rd including a slow zone; shared path along Wardell St to Forest Rd and potential signalised crossing would also need to occur.