More improvements are on the way for riders in Parramatta, as the council gives the go-ahead on a major path winding from the west into its city centre.
The 6.5km Toongabbie to Westmead Pedestrian and Cyclist Corridor will be a key active transport route and was originally proposed in the City of Parramatta’s 2017 Bike Plan, and again included in the updated bike plan adopted last month.
It is also a key cog in the NSW Government’s Strategic Cycleway Corridors Program, and prescribed one of five “immediate opportunities” in the central city.
Once complete, it will provide people who walk and ride bikes with a much improved and mostly separated journey alongside the Main Western Railway line, connecting the west of Parramatta to its CBD via train stations, schools and parks.
The proposed infrastructure includes new paths, bridges, boardwalks, bike parking, landscaping and raised priority crossings for people walking.
The City of Parramatta also undertook analysis of parking along the corridor, and while the plans include a reduction in spaces from 1408 to 1082, it found this would still leave a surplus of more than 326 spaces over the peak usage of 758.
The draft designs were placed on public exhibition earlier this year and attracted hundreds of comments from the community. A council poll found 79% of respondents supported the plan.
Council then endorsed the project this month and is now pursuing funding for the next stage, including detailed designs.
“Now the City’s west is getting its share of pathways,” says City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Pierre Esber. “Rather than always jumping in the car, walking or riding outside in the fresh air is great for physical and mental health. With the Parramatta Bike Plan we will have plenty more pathways for pedestrians and cyclists over the next few years, connecting the north, south and west to our CBD.”
It is expected it will take several years to deliver the full scope of the works.
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