Oxford St East cycleway: Woollahra Council removes support for project

A Sydney council has made a shocking backflip – reversing the fate of a controversial cycleway set to link the CBD to the east. See what it means for commuters here.

15th March 2023. The Daily Telegraph. News Paddington, Sydney, NSW, Australia. GVÕs of Oxford Street in Paddington where there is a plan to halve the number of traffic lanes to accommodate a new cycleway on Oxford St, between Paddington Gates and Taylor Square. Pics by Julian Andrews

An eastern suburbs council has reversed course on its support for a controversial cycleway set to link the CBD to the east.

Woollahra Council’s meeting saw deputy mayor Sarah Swan move a motion backed by mayor Richard Shields to block the construction of Oxford Street East cycleway citing the “enormous” effect it would have on small businesses.

Councillors resolved even-votes-to-six to advocate instead for a permanent cycleway along Moore Park Rd, which has existed as a pop-up cycleway since 2020.

Woollahra Council formally voted to give its in-principle support for the strategic design of the Oxford St East cycleway in March, however several councillors including Mr Shields voted against the proposal in its current form when it came before the council in August.
The two-way cycleway along Oxford St, between Paddington Gates and Taylor Square, is set to be delivered by Transport for NSW (TfNSW), with support from neighbouring City of Sydney Council.

City of Sydney is currently constructing the Oxford Street West project between Taylor Square and Castlereagh Street – which would link up with the eastern stretch of the project.

The proposed infrastructure was aimed at rejuvenating Oxford St through improving its amenity, safety for cyclists and reducing congestion and noise.

However it would come at a cost to motorists with the existing four lanes of traffic to be reduced to two.

Oxford Street in Paddington where there was a plan to halve the number of traffic lanes to accommodate a new cycleway has been reversed by the Woollahra Council on November 15, Picture: Julian Andrews.

The state government was forced to reopen community consultation following fierce backlash to the plans from small business owners and local residents, who raised concerns the cycleway would reduce parking and hurt commerce on the famous shopping street.

Ms Swan said she moved the motion because she felt the “disruption to our local businesses caused by the Oxford Street East cycleway would be enormous”.

“The planning phase has demonstrated the consequences of inadequate initial consultation with businesses and residents,” she said.

“Government bodies should be developing proposals in consultation with businesses, to help promote the businesses, not be the cause of uncertainty.

“Even if there was significant uptake of cycling, the reduction of four lanes of traffic to two along Oxford Street is likely to have a net increase on congestion on this arterial road.”

Woollahra Mayor Richard Shields said, this cycleway is Clover’s ‘war on cars’ – creating traffic mayhem and negatively impacting small businesses that are doing it tough is not the answer” Picture: File

Ms Swan said the current plans also restricted resident access to their homes.

“The likely increased traffic in the suburban roads of Woollahra and Paddington, creating a rat-run, to avoid the inevitable congestion along Oxford Street,” she said.

“Reduction of bus stops along Oxford Street, making it more burdensome for those with young families or mobility difficulties to travel.

“Due to the funding issues in relation to the project funding, it is preferable that rate payer’s money is directed at the other priority projects which are also directed at increasing pedestrian safety, improving accessibility for cyclists and reducing congestion.”

Design of alternative proposal for Oxford St East Cycleway, which was voted out by the Woollahra council on November 15, Picture: File.

Woollahra mayor Richard Shields said while he supported cycleways as a safe solution for cyclists and enhanced transport options, “the NSW Government’s proposal for the Oxford Street East Cycleway is not an appropriate location as the route would create traffic chaos and have a catastrophic impact on local businesses”.

“This cycleway is Clover’s ‘war on cars’ – creating traffic mayhem and negatively impacting small businesses that are doing it tough is not the answer,” Mr Shields said.

“The Moore Park Road option, with some refinements, is tried and tested: why would you change?”