An inner city council in Sydney is looking at an innovative solution to traffic problems in narrow streets. The cramped roads of Balmain have often meant that legally parked cars have blocked ambulances and fire engines as well as regular traffic. Many cars have been side swiped or lost their wing mirrors because of the narrow streets. After years of lobbying by Leichhardt Council, the NSW Road Traffic Authority has finally agreed to allow trial footpath parking in selected narrow streets in Leichhardt.
A six month trial in Foucart Street, Rozelle for a shared pedestrian and vehicle zone will begin in a few months. Speed restrictions of 10 km/h will be in place to ensure that both cars and pedestrians can use the roads in safety.
The new zone will be installed within the next two months and the trial will then involve a further five streets. Leichhardt Mayor, Marie Sheehan, said for several years Council had been asking the RTA to run trials of footpath parking in narrow streets.
“With the narrow streets, cars were often dangerously parked even when they were legally parked on the side of the road,” she said. “We will be working with the residents of affected streets over the next few months to ensure that parking is made easier and that pedestrian safety is not compromised.”
