Southwest Metro delays will see Active Transport Link delivered one year late

Sydney Metro has applied to postpone the delivery of a 17km pedestrian and cycleway in southwest Sydney, citing delays “outside (its) control” including industrial action.

The Southwest Metro will not roll out until late 2026, causing further delays to Sydney Metro’s Active Transport Link. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Sydney Metro has applied to postpone the delivery of a 17 kilometre pedestrian and cycleway planned as part of the Southwest Metro project, citing delays “outside (its) control”, including industrial action.

The application, lodged in April, seeks to extend the delivery of Sydney Metro’s Active Transport Link by up to 24 months after the rail line becomes operational.

Originally, the Southwest Metro was approved with the condition it’s Active Transport Link be delivered within one year after the opening of its rail line.

“Sydney Metro requests the modification (to) allow actions undertaken as part of the approved project to be implemented within a later timeframe if agreed by the Planning Secretary,” the modified planning document states.

“Flexibility on timing would also reduce the occurrence of administrative non-compliances from delays that are outside of Sydney Metro’s control, such as industrial action or the operator completing the Operations Environmental Management Plan (OEMP) for the project.”

Sydney Southwest Metro line: Industrial action has delayed completion of the T3 Sydenham to Bankstown line until 2026. Picture: Supplied

The extension would also allow Sydney Metro to undertake road repairs to fix damages caused by replacement buses.

“Road remediation works are intended to be completed at the same time as the southwest active transport link for construction efficiency,” the document states.

A map of the Southwest Metro and the adjacent Active Transport Link.

“And to prevent impacts and delays that may occur from simultaneous construction of the pedestrian and cyclist link and operation of the replacement buses.”

It comes after Sydney Metro in March revealed industrial action had impacted up to 130 days of work on the Southwest Metro project.

Minister for Transport John Graham said critical works including upgrades to electrical wiring, station platforms, and testing had been significantly delayed.

“The government has always said that this complex and difficult project may take longer than one year,” Mr Graham said.

“Converting a 130-year-old rail line to metro standards is a highly complex project and we are very sorry that passengers will have to wait a bit longer to jump on the metro from Bankstown to the Sydney CBD.”

The Southwest Metro was slated to be completed by September this year, but is now expected to open late 2026.

The delays mean the project’s Active Transport Link cannot commence construction until late 2026 or early 2027.

A Sydney Metro spokesperson said the request to extend the delivery of the link would not impact the delivery of the Metro rail line.

“Sydney Metro’s priority is delivering the upgrade of the Bankstown Line so the community can benefit from metro services between Sydenham and Bankstown as soon as possible,” the spokesperson said.

“Extending the time frame to construct the pedestrian and cyclist facilities will reduce local traffic changes and road works while trains are not operating, helping to minimise congestion and traffic impacts, particularly while the Southwest Link rail replacement bus services are on local roads in the area.”

The link will be built along the Metro line, linking every Metro station from Bankstown to Sydenham and is expected to feature extra footpaths, new separated cycleways, shared zones, and designated pedestrian and cyclist road crossings.

It is also part of the state government’s Active Transport strategy to make walking and cycling the “preferred” method of transport.