Sydney Rd, Brunswick proposed changes will see parking removed

TRADERS along Sydney Rd Brunswick, the state’s top location for towaways and a notorious cycling blackspot, have come up with a proposal to fix the thoroughfare’s chronic traffic problems.

Parking would be removed during peak times from one side of Sydney Rd under a new proposal.

TRADERS along Sydney Rd Brunswick, the state’s top location for towaways and a notorious cycling blackspot, have come up with a proposal to fix the thoroughfare’s chronic traffic woes.

The Sydney Road Brunswick Association want to ban motorists from parking along one side of Sydney Rd during peak hour.

Parking would be banned on the citybound side of the road between 7am and 9am on weekdays, and the same would be applied on the opposite side of the road between 4pm and 6pm.

And vehicles will be left to share one lane of traffic with trams.

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Association manager Claire Perry said the idea was a compromise to give cyclists safe passage during peak times, while still allowing parking for traders during the day.

The plans cater for landscape extensions of the pedestrian walkways at planned tram super stops to allow easier access for disabled passengers, and call for more signs pointing motorists to off-street parking.

It comes after VicRoads figures show Sydney Rd led Victoria for the most vehicles towed, with 1217 cars removed so far this year.

Ms Perry said the poor condition of the Upfield bike path was forcing cyclists on to Sydney Rd.

“We’re addressing the problem of peak time cyclists,” she said.

Towing is big business on Sydney Rd. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Safety-proofing Sydney Rd for cyclists is shaping up as an election issue with Greens candidate for Brunswick Tim Read last month calling for parking to be removed from the road to make way for a dedicated cycling lane.

The association will also campaign for free parking on the road for the first two hours and more pedestrian crossings.

Ms Perry said she had seen tow trucks targeting cars parked in clearways before towing them. “I think it’s generally because they forget about the clearway starting after 4pm,” she said.

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RACV roads and traffic manager Dave Jones said clearways were important to reduce congestion.

“On Sydney Rd we’ve clearly observed people being selfish and stopping in to get a coffee which becomes a danger to riders,” he said.

“It is a safety issue and an inconvenience when cars take advantage of what should be a lane of traffic.”

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