12 minute delay at one Rhodes intersection - Roseberry residents get to CBD in less time (Supercedes most information below other than deficiencies)

Projected Increases | Recent Increases | Peak Hour Increases |Slowing traffic |Deficencies in Studies |Shopping Centre |Commercial

The  the impact of the proposed development on traffic is such that local roads and Ryde Bridge cannot handle the flows projected. This is likely to lead to significant delays for all users of Concord Road, Homebush Bay Drive, Chuch Street Ryde and Alfred Street, Rhodes.

Table derived from information in Arup Transportation Planning Report February 1999

Projected Increases From Rhodes Redevelopment

Afternoon peak, Northern Flow, exiting the intersection

Morning peak, Southern Flow, exiting the intersection

It is understood the present capacity of Ryde Bridge is rated by the RTA at about 3,000 cars per hour. Under this traffic plan the bridge would have to operate at almost 200% current capacity. If it can't operate at that capacity, delays will exceed the common 30 minutes already experienced and be worse in case of breakdown and major event at the Olympic precinct.

The impact of increases in traffic over the last few years in the area can be seen from the following information provided by Mr Twiney, a consultant to DUAP at a consultation meeting on 26 June 2000

Recent Increases in Number of Vehicles
1996 AADT 67,600
2000 AADT 82,316 (ie 22% increase)

Peak hour Traffic Flow Increase
1996 - 1998: 17% increase
1998 - 2000: 3% increase, but this represents a slowing of traffic and increases in the length of the peak period.

Traffic Speeds Near Ryde Bridge

Deficiencies in Studies

It is believed the gazetted plan does not adequately consider the traffic volumes arising from:

a)     the approval of a major commercial development at Rhodes where the only traffic entry and egress is onto that part of Concord Rd between the intersection of Homebush Bay Drive & Concord Road and Ryde bridge (the Walker/McRoss development)

b)    the proposed development on the Rhodes peninsula involving estimated 

c) the proposed Shepherd's Bay redevelopment at Ryde/Meadowbank

d)     existing problems at 

e)     fact that only 25% of local employed persons use public transport and that this is therefore the most likely rate of usage fro new employed residents

f)     the completion of the Roberts Road overpass which has brought a substantial increase in traffic to Homebush Bay Drive, since the study was completed

g)    the approval of a major commercial development at Rhodes where the only traffic entry and egress is onto that part of Concord Rd between the intersection of Homebush Bay Drive & Concord Road and Ryde bridge. 

h) the already announced withdrawal of public transport subsidies for major events

i) at least one intersection in the effected area already fails to meet RTA guidlines for articulated vehicles.

j) the proposal to move major functions from the Entertainment centre to the Superdome

k) Existing residents of Rhodes are already landlocked. There is only one way into Rhodes from North or South for 600 existing residents. Already people are complaining of it often taking 30 minutes to drive 1 kilometre to pick up children from school.

l) Residents of Liberty Grove have no road access except through the proposed main intersection servicing this new development (Cnr Oulton Street).

m) Issues of delivery of building materials to the sites are yet to be resolved. Residents of Averil Street and Blaxland Road will be resisting use of these residential streets by large trucks.

n) There is a large amount of garbage truck traffic likely to use Concord Road as tips in the North Eastern parts of Sydney become unavailable.

o) Newington is also expected to have about 5,000 residents. Where will they cross the Parramatta River?

p) There are other substantial residential developments in Concord LGA including the AGL site and various other former industrial sites.

q) There is a major development (Millenium Waters) proposed for the Western Shores of Homebush Bay near the old Ralph Symonds site.

r) the RTA traffic handbook suggests a 3 second break between cars is necessary for safe driving, less in adverse conditions. Modelling suggests that based on traffic projections there would be substantial delays for over 10 hours a day if this recommendation were adhered to. DUAP are championing a project which requires huge delays if motorists are to drive within government recommended guidelines. These delays have a huge cumulative social and economic cost.