Rat racing motorists expected for inner west roads as WestConnex tolls and ‘missing links’ are tipped to turn drivers to local streets

MOTORISTS dodging tolls on WestConnex could turn residential streets into a “rat run”, but the State Government has no plans to fix the problem until after the project opens to traffic.

“Rat running” is the term given to motorists using residential side streets instead of main roads.

MOTORISTS dodging tolls on WestConnex could turn residential streets into a “rat run”, but the State Government has no plans to fix the problem until after the project opens to traffic.

Inner West Council administrator Richard Pearson is mounting a challenge over government approvals for WestConnex that reveal traffic impacts on local roads will not be reviewed until at least 12 months after the motorway is completed.

Haberfield, Ashfield and St Peters are expected to bear the brunt of the congestion, caused by motorists avoiding tolls or connecting the “missing links” as each stage of WestConnex is completed.

The council’s study will scope streets across the inner west, including Rozelle and Leichhardt.

The solution, Mr Pearson says, is for the council to undertake a traffic modelling study that would be used to lobby the government to address problems before they occur.

If approved at Tuesday’s council meeting, $500,000 will be allocated to the study that would take around five months to complete.

“When Stage 1 is completed everyone will come out at Haberfield and it could be years of very significant impacts on our streets,” Mr Pearson said.

“The way the State Government is seeking to deal with this is basically ‘we’ll see what happens’ and then retrofit the solution for those areas.

A scene from WestConnex construction at Haberfield — one of the suburbs tipped to attract “rat running” when Stage 1 opens in 2020.

“I believe we have to predict what those impacts will be through traffic modelling and do something about it before it happens.”

Mr Pearson said there was “ample time” for the government to introduce measures before the first stage of WestConnex opens in 2020.

Findings of the study would also be used to strengthen the council’s position when lodging submissions to Stage 3 of WestConnex early next year.

The WestConnex Action Group has previously raised concerns about increased traffic on local roads, stating “it would dump thousands of extra cars all over the heritage conservation area (in Haberfield) and see drivers rat-run local streets to try and avoid tolls and traffic jams.”

WestConnex has attracted its fair share of objectors, with rallies regularly held across the inner west.

A spokesman for Roads and Maritime Services said the 12 month review of traffic impacts, after WestConnex opens, would ensure “a true picture is painted of motorists’ behaviour”.

The spokesman said route patterns could change as new roads open until motorists settle into a steady routine.

The will include recommendations for any changes to “ensure WestConnex operates effectively within the broader network”, the spokesman said.

Originally published as Rat racing motorists expected for inner west roads as WestConnex tolls and ‘missing links’ are tipped to turn drivers to local streets