Jo Haylen, Member for Summer Hill, today expressed fears that hundreds of extra cars will be pumped onto local streets when lanes of traffic close on Parramatta Road this Sunday.

Lanes along Parramatta Road will be closed in stretches for up to two years, including the east-bound lane in Haberfield between Bland Street and Rogers Avenue.

Ms Haylen has written to the Minister for Planning asking how rat-running in Ashfield and Haberfield will be monitored and called for extra protections around Bland Street to ensure children are not at risk.

In addition to shutting down lanes, Westconnex will temporarily close the pedestrian bridge at Bland Street, forcing school kids to cross Parramatta Road.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Summer Hill

“Local streets will bear the brunt as drivers get stuck between traffic jams on Parramatta road and the already jam-packed City West Link.

“Local streets are already seeing increased traffic from cars and heavy trucks, which residents were promised wouldn’t use residential streets.

“I’m concerned for the kids at Haberfield Public School and residents at local nursing homes who’ll have to dodge cars to get about their suburb.

“The Minister has said motorists have to accept a few minutes delay for progress, but he hasn’t explained why he’s spending $16.8 billion on a road that will only save drivers a few minutes travel."