MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

* I am shocked that there would be no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights. 

* I am shocked that the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and residents are not being adequately addressed.
The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace as originally promised.

* The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale. This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians. 

* An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

* The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.

Hello,
I object to the proposed overpass at The Crescent despite the modifications to the design. The overpass will increase vehicle noise in the area due to be elevated, and will be unsightly due to being incongruous with the foreshore surrounds. I believe a below grade design should be pursued instead.
Thank you.

I object to the Detrimental Visual Bulk of MOD2-The Crescent Overpass - Revised Design which, as detailed in the Submission, completely blocks the current clear line of sight of pedestrians to see Rozelle Bay from the Rozelle Bay light rail stop. The proposed Crescent Overpass will take away the current view of Rozelle Bay from pedestrians alighting at Rozelle Bay light rail stop.

The MOD2-The Crescent Overpass - Revised Design is disingenuous in representing the level of the Overpass at the Rozelle Bay light rail stop.
In the Proposal, Figure 2-1 - The Revised Design (Long section) Frame 1, it appears that a car on the Overpass is at a lower level than the Light Rail Carriage at Rozelle Bay light rail stop. And it appears that that if a person was standing at the light rail shelter as depicted, then that person's eye level would be above the Road Barrier of the Crescent Overpass. This is illustrated in the attached file which is a marked up copy of Figure 2-1 - The Revised Design (Long section). In this image is a marked up Orange shaded area showing Rozelle Bay light rail stop where it appears that a car on the Overpass is lower than the Light Rail Carriage.
Conflicting with Figure 2-1 - The Revised Design (Long section) Frame 1, is Figure 3-10 - Indicative view from Rozelle bay light rail stop looking south east which clearly illustrates the Detrimental Visual Bulk of MOD2-The Crescent Overpass - Revised Design.
See attached copy of Figure 3-10 - Indicative view from Rozelle bay light rail stop looking south east with marked up with orange shaded area of the Visual obstruction of the Crescent Over Pass.

Further disingenuous content in the MOD2-The Crescent Overpass - Revised Design
Excerpt from the Report which seem particularly insulting to the intelligence of the readers and the affected community:

"Existing views from the light rail stop toward Rozelle Bay, Anzac Bridge and the city skyline would not be impacted to any significant degree although the new built form elements would be visible in the foreground."

If the project wishes to pursue the "Cheap" and "Nasty" option of the Overpass option instead of the Underpass option, then they must lower the overpass by 2 metres at the Rozelle Tram Stop locality. The Over pass must not restrict the view of the pedestrians at Cross section 3, similar to how the Overpass does not block the view of pedestrians as depicted in Cross section 4 - Figure 2-4 The Revised Design.

Solutions to this may include:
Drop the level of the overpass in the vicinity of the Pedestrian Plaza by a further 2 metres (Figure 2-4 Cross section 3).
If traffic clearance height is at a minimum already under the fly-over, (Figure 2-4 Cross section 3), then lower the roadway at Grade by 2m and make good for it to meet up with the City west Link.
I believe the MOD2-The Crescent Overpass - Revised Design can be summed up as:
"Cars take priority over pedestrians and the community, and also saving cost (penny pinching) is more important than find an acceptable solution for the community.

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.
An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.
The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

Please consider the following objections:

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians by channeling extra cars, trucks and commuter traffic on to Johnston Street on which there are three Primary Schools. Visionary traffic management should be reducing traffic around schools not increasing it!

An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area and was promised at the outset of this part of westconnex.

The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

The modification includes no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard — and as such misses a primary principal of continuous access around the bay precinct area to take advantage of this beautiful asset at the gateway to the inner west.
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements.

As a core principal: The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

I object to the overpass in The Crescent in Annandale. It is unnecessary and will impact on the everyday life of Annandale residents. It is ugly! It is bad for the existing parkland of the area. The whole Westconnex has adversely impacted on the inner west communities in a big way. We shouldn't have to suffer even more because of this ridiculous project. Please spare the Annandale residents of more pain !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is no significant engineering issue with original plan in the EIS. The reasoning for the modification centres around “constructability” with the greater benefits being reduced time and lower cost for developers. There is no lasting benefit for residents and with induced traffic in streets adjoining WestConnex, there will be no lasting benefit to motorists. There is no element of the modification that is in the public interest. The proponent suggests that a community benefit is minimising the duration of construction impacts on nearby residents.

A quick, easy construction and yet a lasting, thoughtless eyesore that increases traffic congestion cannot be in the interests of anyone, least of all the local community.

The proponent of the modification acknowledges residents at this location would experience an increased visual impact by comparison to the infrastructure assessed in the EIS” (p xiii), and admits “…an increase in traffic would enter the network and has the likely potential to impact parts of the network already forecast to be congested such as Victoria Road northbound in the AM peak” (p xi)

Given the significant and prolonged disruption of construction of the M4-M5 Link and the Rozelle Interchange to surrounding communities, it would be particularly miserly to deny them the small positive of the GreenLink for the even smaller benefit (mostly to the developer) of ease of construction.

I am requesting RMS to reinstate your own vision as laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056: putting people first. For the Rozelle, Annandale and Glebe communities, MOD 2 is actually a significant change to the design as approved in the EIS.

I am seeking the reinstatement of the safe, direct access from the approved EIS GreenLink to create a continuous green open space connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. The GreenLink is more than just a walk way - it puts people central to the design, maximising safety, and providing much needed accessible open space for the community now and into the future Bays Precinct design.

Additional concerns with the M4-M5 Modification include:

● The significantly reduced safety and increased risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over The Crescent to Bicentennial Park and the increased traffic along Johnson Street.
● Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off from the area and the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct, including linking the Light Rail and Bus stops to a Ferry wharf and Metro station.
● Urban and landscape design that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area.
● Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle with no planning to deal with these.

I strongly oppose this modification as it severely compromises core aspects of the approved M4-M5 Link Environmental Impact Statement (page 8), specifically these principals:

● Connect and provide for communities The concept offers a parkland destination that works to stitch together previously separated communities by providing a range of social infrastructure at a central, easily accessible location.

MOD 2 actively separates Rozelle Bay from Annandale by removing a pedestrian link across the Crescent. MOD 2 demonstrably reduces accessibility and fails this principal.

● Enhance green links The concept reactivates closed-off land through new green spaces and links. These links strategically establish a new green “interaction” connecting a series of significant yet fragmented [future and existing] green spaces in and around White Bay, Rozelle Bay, Rozelle, Balmain, Glebe and Annandale.

MOD 2 removes the green ”interaction” and, thereby, clearly does not enhance links, and certainly a raised roadway is not a substitute for loss of a green bridge. MOD 2 removes connections between green spaces and green links.

● Respond to the local character Respecting and maintaining the unique heritage, industrial character and topography of the Rozelle Rail Yards through interpretation.

The concrete overpass will obstruct a historically significant local mural, create a concrete plaza of no architectural character or value. MOD 2 can not be defended as a positive interpretation of local character.

● Revitalise streets for equality of mobility. New public spaces and much-needed universally accessible links establish entirely new “public streets” and enhance the surrounding neighbourhood.

Universal access would be to return to the original plan where there were “public streets” access to the light rail AND Rozelle Bay/ Bicentennial Park. MOD 2 proposes access to the light rail but not Bicentennial Park, and the latter is through a far longer path than originally planned, so that many older and younger community members will the find the route prohibitive. MOD2 fails equality of mobility.


My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:

● Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park and the light rail station
● Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct.
● Design the modification infrastructure and active links in response to the character of the suburbs, the location of the foreshore and it’s potential future development.
● Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force them onto busier streets, multiple traffic light crossings, unsightly concrete plazas and long caged walkways.
● Integrate active and direct connections to all active transport – including the future Metro West and Foreshore Ferry Wharf

The overpass is totally unnecessary and object to the proposal for the following reasons:
- It is a total eyesore to all residents and visitors to the area;
- There is no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle goods yard;
- It will negatively impact the local residents, pedestrians and cyclists the regularly use the area; and
- To solve congestion, build a tunnel underpass.

The modified plans for the The Crescent overpass and active transport links have gone some way to correcting some of the issues with the earlier plan. However, as a local resident who regularly walks to the park via The Crescent, the modified plan still has some significant problems.

The removal of the previously proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge (the 'horseshoe bridge') that crossed over the City West link means that people walking and cycling need to cross multiple road lanes to reach previously accessible routes. I understand there was some concern about the visual impact of this bridge. But compared to the car overpass, which remains on the plan, the visual impact is insignificant.

Clearly the priority of the Department's plan is for the driver who passes through Annandale, not for the resident. People with prams, the elderly and others will be negatively impacted by having to cross at this busy intersection. The liveability of locals is severely impacted by a lack of easy accessibility to our local public open space at nearby parks and Blackwattle Bay.

The thoroughfare for people moving between Railway Parade and Rozelle Bay has also been badly affected by the works where people now need to cross three sets of lights. In the past, this only required crossing one set of lights. This is simply bad design. It's an LA freeway design in the heart of the suburban inner west.

I appreciate the huge amount of work that has been done to assist people to move around the city, but I urge you to consider the lack of convenient pedestrian and cyclist access to the Glebe Foreshore. Basic attention to good urban design can surely resolve these issues.

The massive overpass being proposed is still a totally unnecessary imposition on our local area that prioritises cars and traffic over cyclists, pedestrians and resident amenity. Whilst the community appreciates the modifications that have been made since the last consultation period, there are still some areas of concern. Specifically:

1. The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

2. An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes. An overpass will also severely negatively impact the surrounding area and is not in keeping with the Annandale heritage conservation area to which it is proposed to be alongside. Stating in your updated released report that it is now in keeping with the area thanks to the land clearing done by WestConnex around Burawan Park is not the same. Visual impact needs to be determined by looking at the whole area it is to be a part of - not purely the pocket of land that has been cleared for construction.

3. The people’s mural will be obscured.
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.

4. Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents.
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

Please think about your local community - those who have to live with this day in and day out, rather than those who are "passing through". This is a complete destruction of our community for very little gain. The substantial amount of funds earmarked for this project should instead go to improving our public transport network where it is needed - and what was recently announced by the State Government as needing greater prioritisation to help re-pivot towards a better future for NSW post Covid-19.

• The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.
• An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.
• There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.
• The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
• Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

I am oposed to the Crescent MOD 2 as it separates the suburbs from the Glebe Foreshore. I want greater consideration to be provided for pedestrians accessing the Glebe foreshore. There has been a 30% increase of cyclists in 2020 in the Inner West and their safety is paramount
Pedestrians and cyclists should have priority when crossing the Crescent at the traffic lights
Delineation between pedestrians and cyclists must made on the overpass . Either by the use of coloured paving or painted lines. Shared paths no longer work as proven on the Glebe Foreshore.
Communter cyclists want direct access to CBD. The Glebe Forshore is not considered to be a commuter route to the CBD
Retention of the horseshoe Bridge is important for the residents of Lilyfield.

• The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.
• An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.
• There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.
• The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
• Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale - This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area - The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard - This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

The people’s mural will be obscured - The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.

The needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents - All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

To NSW Department of Planning:

I am writing to present further objections to the WestConnex Crescent Overpass (SSI-7485-Mod-2). Despite a few changes made to the original design, this overpass still looms as a monstrosity over our residential streets and will completely destroy the character of the local neighbourhoods. My objections are namely:

With the construction of this overpass there will be no direct link between the Glebe foreshore and the Rozelle Goods Yards as was promised in the original design. This is a huge loss to the local community as pedestrians and cyclists will be forced to use pedestrian crossings to reach the foreshore and back instead of having an uninterrupted pathway between the parklands.

We will lose more green space to concrete at a time when it is so necessary to plant more trees. As the planet continues to warm, the last thing we need is a huge slab of concrete stuck smack bang in our neighbourhood. Last summer during the savage bushfires the smoke and heat were unbearable. The glare and heat from this overpass coupled with the exhaust fumes will generate an enormous warming effect, worsening an already fragile environment.

Pedestrians, cyclists and local residents have been completely disregarded with this design. It’s all about ease of movement for motorists and other traffic on WestConnex roads with no thought for the pollution, noise and inconvenience that this will cause to our local communities — not to mention the visual eyesore that will dominate the landscape.

Rodney Monk’s beautiful mural — artwork of heritage value along the Crescent at the northern side of the light rail viaduct — will be obscured by the proposed overpass.

I am completely against the construction of this overpass and horrified that it is even being considered as a viable option. We do not want to become the LA of the Inner West. A huge overpass has no place in local neighbourhoods and will tear the heart out of our communities.

Instead of an overpass, why not an underpass? The design for the overpass could be abolished and replaced by a short tunnel with slot trench approaches under the City West Link. The eyesore in the neighbourhood would be immediately removed as would the noise and extra pollution, and the parklands could be connected as was originally promised.

Please return to the drawing board and work out how to keep the traffic underground. We will already have to deal with three monstrous smoke stacks in the Rozelle Goods Yards — that we are still fighting to get filtered — so please do not add more misery to our lives. Do not leave us with the legacy of an enormous ugly overpass that will seriously affect our lives in so many negative ways while bringing no benefits to the local residents.

Yours Sincerely

Sallie Beaumont
Lilyfield NSW 2040

I am very concerned about the lack of pedestrian and cyclist access between Rozelle and Glebe. This is a popular route for local residents and the current design does not support sustainable transport options.

The alignment of MOD2 can be improved to meet the original approved intent. See attached comment.

I am writing to object to MOD2-The Crescent overpass and active transport links as Rodney Monk's incredible 'People's Mural' will be obscured. This is a wonderful part of the history and culture of the area and it should remain easily visible from any angle. Back in 1980 when Mr Monk was creating this magnificent work of art he noted that the mural 'reflects the interests and concerns of the community in the late 1970s and early ‘80s'. I am deeply concerned about this overpass and I strongly believe that the needs of motorists are being prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents. His mural should stand exactly as it is today and should continue to serve our community as an historical reminder and allow the 'small people' to have a say over the obtrusive construction that is being exhibited. I am also deeply troubled by the tree felling and lack of greenspace in this area which sits right on the beautiful Rozelle Bay. My children are distraught as every day they notice fewer and fewer areas of vegetation remaining. I sincerely ask that you rethink this overpass and allow the local community to protect the crescent and its surroundings and leave 'The People's Mural' unobscured.

If the government insists that the Westconnex project is to continue to interfere with the amenity of the city, there are ways that it can at least reduce the level of interference, for instance, by building an underpass instead of an overpass.

The overpass plan offers no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

I have witnessed the total destruction of valuable green space in the neighbourhood due to this project. The place is like a lunar landscape or an aircraft landing strip. The project in general puts the needs of motorists over pedestrians, cyclists and residents. I am a driver, but I'm also a pedestrian and user of public transport, and I think that, given the impact of cars on our environment, steps should be taken to deter, not encourage, their use.

I believe evidence shows the overpass will definitely not solve congestion in Annandale .
It is is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.
It makes sense to to have an underpass which would be less overbearing on the local area and unsightly.
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.
There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.
The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.
It is obvious the needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents.
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

Trish Lane