Item 9.2 - Attachment 1

Parramatta Traffic Committee minutes of meeting held on 9 February 2012

 

REPORT OF THE PARRAMATTA TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2012 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS BUILDING, CIVIC PLACE, PARRAMATTA AT 1.30 PM

___________________________________________________________

 

The Parramatta Traffic Committee Chairperson Cr Andrew Bide declared the meeting open at 1:37pm.

 

PRESENT

 

Councillor Andrew Bide                                        PCC - Chairperson

Councillor Andrew Wilson                                    PCC

Ms Louise Kerr                                                      PCC

Mr Richard Searle                                                 PCC

Ms Stephanie Stanborough                                 PCC

Ms Maria Swallow                                                 RMS (formerly RTA)

Ms Riham Gergis                                                  RMS (formerly RTA)

Mr Richard McHenry                                             RMS (formerly RTA)

Snr Const. Greg Jones                                         Rosehill Police

Ms Joan Wilcox                                                     Rep for Greg Smith SC, MP

Ms Pam Kendrick                                                 Cycleways Committee & Bicycle NSW

Ms Elaine Evans                                                   Rep for Nathan Rees, MP

Ms Robyn Preston                                                 Rep for Tony Issa, MP (arrived at 1:45pm)

Ms Talita Brooks                                                   STA

Ms Saniya Sharmeen                                           PCC – Minute Secretary

 

Apologies

 

Mr David Elliot, MP                                                  MP for Baulkham Hills

Mr Keith Topolski                                                     Rep for David Elliot, MP

Mr Mitchell Potts                                                      Rep for Geoff Lee, MP

 

SPECIAL BUSINESS

 

Nil.

 

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

 

CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 24 NOVEMBER 2011

 

That the report of the Parramatta Traffic Committee meeting held on Thursday 24 November 2011 be taken as read and confirmed as a true record of the meeting.

 

BUSINESS ARISING:

 

Nil.

 

SECTION A ITEMS:

 

ITEM NO.     

 

 

1202 A1         RAWSON STREET, EPPING – INSTALLATION OF ‘NO STOPPING

                        TAXI S EXCEPTED 1 MINUTE MAXIMUM’

 

                        File:                            F2012/00041

 

                        Ward:                                    Lachlan Macquarie Ward

 

                        State Electorate:    Epping

 

                        Recommendation to Parramatta Traffic Committee:

 

That a 6m long ‘No Stopping Taxis Excepted 1 Minute Limit’ (with Taxi Pick Up Point on the back of the signs) restriction be installed within the existing ‘No Stopping’ restriction on the west side of Rawson Street, Epping, north of the entry driveway to Coles supermarket, as shown in the attached sketch.

 

Comments

 

The representative for Greg Smith MP informed the Committee that there is significant traffic congestion in Rawson Street (northbound) during afternoon peak-hours and vehicle queuing extends back to the Bridge Street roundabout.  The representative advised that installation of a taxi rank in Rawson Street outside Coles would further increase traffic congestion and suggested that the restriction be installed only during peak-hours, or opposite Coles, or within the Council car park.  The representative also indicated that replacing the disused ‘Bus Zone’ with a ‘No Parking’ area (as referred in the report) should be adequate in providing a set-down/pick-up area for taxis near Coles.

 

It was noted that the Lord Mayor had expressed concerns regarding the affect on traffic flow by e-mail to the Service Manager - Traffic and Transport. 

 

The RMS representative Ms Swallow, advised that provision of time restrictions in the ‘No Stopping Taxis Excepted 1 Minute Limit’ is not in accordance with the RMS Technical Direction.  Accordingly, the restriction cannot be installed for the peak period.

 

Council’s Service Manager - Traffic and Transport advised that the new pick up/set down area south of Coles is closer to Coles than the alternative locations suggested by the representative for Greg Smith, MP.

 

Clr Bide informed the Committee that installation of a taxi rank in the ‘No Stopping’ area will allow taxis to stop legally for a maximum of 1 minute, without significantly affecting traffic movement in the area.  He also advised that Council had recently installed this restriction in George Street west of Smith Street, Parramatta. 

 

Clr Wilson informed the Committee that taxis use the Coles driveway for set-down/pick-up purposes; however the problem for taxis is the queued traffic in Rawson Street. 

 

The representative for Greg Smith, MP suggested that an indented bay could be constructed at the pick up/set down in front of the Council car park to improve traffic flow. The Service Manager – Traffic and Transport advised that this option is feasible but is outside the scope of the current proposal.  Clr Wilson advised that he will give a Notice of Motion at a Council meeting regarding this request.

 

The Committee noted that the beneficiaries of the proposed restriction are the elderly and disabled that use taxis to go to the supermarket. Much of this use is outside peak periods. Taxis would not be able to use the location as a rank.

 

Installation of the restriction on a trial basis was also discussed.  Clr Wilson indicated that the restriction, if installed, may be supported by the community and therefore, it may be difficult to remove even if the restriction affected traffic flow.

 

                        Recommendation from the Parramatta Traffic Committee

 

That a ‘No Stopping Taxis Excepted 1 Minute Limit’ restriction not be installed in Rawson Street, Epping (outside Coles supermarket).

 

Note that the RMS representative did not support this recommendation and voted to install the proposed restriction (without the ‘Taxi pick up point’ on the back of sign).

 

1202 A2         VILLIERS STREET, PARRAMATTA – PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AND BLISTER ISLAND

                       

                        File:                            F2012/00041

 

                        Ward:                                    Elizabeth Macarthur Ward

 

                        State Electorate:    Parramatta

 

                        Recommendation to Parramatta Traffic Committee:

 

That a pedestrian crossing and concrete blister island be installed in Villiers Street, Parramatta, south of Grose Street.

 

Comments

 

The representative for RMS informed the Committee that relocation of speed limit signs of more than 3m requires approval from the RMS Speed Management Section.

 

                        Recommendation from the Parramatta Traffic Committee

 

That a pedestrian crossing and concrete blister island be installed in Villiers Street, Parramatta, south of Grose Street.

 

 

1202 A3         INTERSCETION OF TUCKS ROAD AND VIANNEY CRESCENT, TOONGABBIE – PROPOSED MEDIAN ISLAND

                       

                        File:                            F2012/00041

 

                        Ward:                                    Caroline Chisholm Ward

 

                        State Electorate:    Toongabbie

 

                        Recommendation to Parramatta Traffic Committee:

 

That median islands be installed at the intersection of Tucks Road and Vianney Crescent, with a gap in the median island in Vianney Crescent for pedestrians.

 

Comments

 

The Service Manager – Traffic and Transport advised the Committee that the island is designed as a median island and the width is in accordance with the RMS Supplement to Austroads Guide to Road Design.  Construction of a wider island will restrict service vehicles turning into Vianney Crescent. As an alternative, this island can be replaced with rumble bars; however this option may be less effective in stopping corner cutting and may be considered to be a lower quality option.

 

The representative for RMS informed the Committee that the minimum width of the median island (that provides a refuge for pedestrians) is to be 2m in accordance with Australian Standards. The representative also advised that according to the turning path diagram (attached to the report), service vehicles will overhang the island and compromise pedestrian safety.  Accordingly, the island should not be built in Vianney Crescent.

 

The representative for RMS suggested that the matter be discussed with the RMS Policy Section to clarify the interpretation of Austroads Guidelines and the RMS Supplement to Austroads Guide. 

 

The representative for the Cycleways Committee and BNSW informed the Committee that the intersection is near a recreational facility and therefore, consideration be given to pedestrians using this intersection.

 

                        Recommendation from the Parramatta Traffic Committee

 

1.   That the matter be deferred to a future Parramatta Traffic Committee and a report recommending an appropriate option for the intersection of Tucks Road and Vianney Crescent, Toongabbie be provided to the Committee.

 

2.   That clarification be sought from RMS Policy Section regarding use of the standards, guidelines and supplementary material.

 

 

1202 A4         ADAM STREET, GUILDFORD – PROPOSED SPEED HUMPS AND MEDIAN ISLANDS

                       

                        File:                            F2012/00041

 

                        Ward:                                    Woodville Ward

 

                        State Electorate:    Woodville

 

                        Recommendation to Parramatta Traffic Committee:

 

That the Adam Street, Guildford Traffic Management Project involving 6 speed humps; a median island in Robertson Street (immediately north of Adam Street); median island in Adam Street (immediately west of Blaxcell Street); line marking; and blister islands be approved.

 

Comments

 

The representative for RMS advised that the refuge island in Robertson Street does not meet RMS requirements.  The gap is to be widened to 3m to comply with Australian Standards. Council’s Service Manager Traffic and Transport advised that the island had been designed as a median island however the gap can be widened to 3m.

 

The representative for the Cycleways Committee and BNSW requested that Bicycle warning signs be installed in Adam Street east of Harry Gapes Reserve, Guildford for westbound traffic.

 

                        Recommendation from the Parramatta Traffic Committee

 

That the Adam Street, Guildford Traffic Management Project involving a median island in Robertson Street (immediately north of Adam Street); median island in Adam Street (immediately west of Blaxcell Street); line marking; and blister islands be approved subject to the gap in the refuge island in Robertson Street being widened to 3m and an additional Bicycle warning sign being installed.

 

1202 A4a       ADAM STREET, GUILDFORD – PROPOSED SPEED HUMPS

                       

                        File:                            F2012/00041

 

                        Ward:                                    Woodville Ward

 

                        State Electorate:    Woodville

 

                        Recommendation to Parramatta Traffic Committee:

 

Comments

 

This item is separated from Item No.1202 A4 (see above).

 

The representative for RMS informed the Committee that speed humps are to be modified to a maximum spacing of 100m to comply with RMS guidelines. Council’s Service Manager - Traffic and Transport advised that the RMS guideline referred to is no longer current and that Council is using Austroads Guidelines for designing maximum spacing of speed humps.

 

                        Recommendation from the Parramatta Traffic Committee

 

That the Adam Street, Guildford Traffic Management Project involving 6 speed humps be deferred to the next meeting and appropriate standards be tabled at the next meeting addressing the spacing of speed humps.

 

 

1202 A5         BETTY CUTHBERT AVENUE, ERMINGTON – PROPOSED CAR PARK STYLE SPEED HUMPS

                       

                        File:                            F2012/00041

 

                        Ward:                                    Elizabeth Macarthur Ward

 

                        State Electorate:    Parramatta

 

                        Recommendation to Parramatta Traffic Committee:

 

That 5 car park style speed humps (type 2) be installed in Betty Cuthbert Avenue, Ermington, between Spurway Street and River Road.

 

                        Recommendation from the Parramatta Traffic Committee

 

That 5 car park style speed humps (type 2) be installed in Betty Cuthbert Avenue, Ermington between Spurway Street and River Road.

 

 

1202 A6         PENELOPE LUCAS LANE, ROSEHILL – PROPOSED CAR PARK STYLE SPEED HUMP

                       

                        File:                            F2012/00041

 

                        Ward:                                    Elizabeth Macarthur Ward

 

                        State Electorate:    Parramatta

 

                        Recommendation to Parramatta Traffic Committee:

 

That a car park style speed hump (type 2) be installed in Penelope Lucas Lane, Rosehill immediately north of Virginia Lane.

 

                        Recommendation from the Parramatta Traffic Committee

 

That a car park style speed hump (type 2) be installed in Penelope Lucas Lane, Rosehill immediately north of Virginia Lane.

 

 

1202 A7         MARY LANE, RYDALMERE – RELOCATION OF APPROVED LOCATION FOR ‘NO STOPPING’ SIGN

                       

                        File:                            F2012/00041

 

                        Ward:                                    Elizabeth Macarthur Ward

 

                        State Electorate:    Parramatta

 

                        Recommendation to Parramatta Traffic Committee:

 

That the approved location for the ‘No Stopping’ (right arrow) and 15 Minute Parking (left arrow) signs on the north side of Mary Lane at the western end of the rear of 255 Bridge Street be relocated 3m to the west.

 

                        Recommendation from the Parramatta Traffic Committee

 

That the approved location for the ‘No Stopping’ (right arrow) and 15 Minute Parking (left arrow) signs on the north side of Mary Lane at the western end of the rear of 255 Bridge Street be relocated 3m to the west.

 

BUSINESS ITEMS:

 

Nil.

 

The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 2:27pm.