The intersection of Old Barrenjoey Road and Avalon Parade in Avalon Beach will undergo some traffic changes, as part of a trial to make it a safer space for pedestrians.
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By December 2022, the northern part of Old Barrenjoey Rd (near Woolworths) will be turned into a one-way southbound and a 10 km/h shared zone in a section of the road will also be implemented.
Other main changes include:
- removing nine on-street parking spaces to provide safer pedestrian access
- improving pedestrian crossings at the intersection of Old Barrenjoey Road and Avalon Parade
- widening footpaths to create more space for pedestrians
- additional seating and plants
- adjusting bus and taxi services
- relocating loading zones.
The trial, which commenced last October is proposed to be completed this December. The trial will run for at least six months.
As part of the project, council will remove the existing pedestrian crossing located in Old Barrenjoey Road, north of Avalon Parade. This area will be part of the new 10km Shared Zone.
A 10 km Shared Zone is a road or network of roads where the road space is shared safely by vehicles and pedestrians, with a maximum speed limit of 10 km/h.
Meanwhile, authorities will change the existing unrestricted parking in Barrenjoey Road, east side, between Avalon Parade and Old Barrenjoey Road to 4P (four hour parking) 7:00 am – 7:00 pm everyday.
With nine on-street parking spaces set to be removed, locals are advised to park in the Avalon Beach commercial area, Avalon Beach carpark, Woolworths carpark and the Council carpark located in Avalon Parade.
Aside from delivering a safer space for pedestrians, the trial aims to provide a more people-focused experience for locals and visitors to the village, including improving the streetscape with plants and new furniture.
These changes were made possible through a $500,000 funding through the State Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces program, which aims to transform and re-energise streets during the day and as part of the 24-hour economy, to get NSW moving again.
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In 2021, a similar change was implemented at The Strand in Dee Why, also under the Streets as Shared Spaces program.