Residents, businesses, and community groups have been requesting to halt works for the Avalon Shared Space trial, as the project has reportedly caused enormous inconvenience in the area.
Read: Shared Space Trial For Old Barrenjoey Road Commences
Avalon Preservation Association (APA), a not-for-profit volunteer community group, stated in its bulletin for December 2022 that they are extremely disappointed with the delays in construction and the fact that the trial has not yet begun.
“The delay has meant construction work has been pushed into the busy Christmas holiday period. Retailers are angry. Drivers are angry. Residents are confused,” APA stated.
The shared space trial was proposed by the Northern Beaches Council, with support from the NSW Government, to enable greater pedestrian opportunities through expanded footpaths, new landscaping and additional seating areas.
Based on the timeline for the shared spaces for Avalon Beach, preparation for the trial will commence in October and is expected to be completed in December 2022, with the trial due to run for at least six months.
However, the works already came with a few issues, including the large queues of traffic farming on Avalon Parade and the lack of traffic controllers when the northbound lane on Old Barrenjoey Road was first closed.
According to Pittwater Councillor Miranda Korzy, the new project has been marred by multiple problems, including the new laying of bitumen on Old Barrenjoey Rd which has resulted in flooding of the road and inundation of a pedestrian ramp.
“I have just asked the council’s CEO to immediately halt work on the Avalon shared roadway project and to carry out an emergency assessment of it and emergency measures to decrease the flood risk – increased by the road works – to businesses in Old Barrenjoey Road. This should include provision of sandbags until the work is done,” said Cr Korzy in a social media post.
Read: Pedestrian Shared Space Trial in Avalon Receives $500-K Funding
Cr Korzy is requesting to halt work and carry out an assessment of the design, planning process, and compliance with agreed schedules, including start and finish times.
The Councillor is also asking for emergency measures to be taken to prevent flooding occurring in business premises in Old Barrenjoey Rd.