Not quiet on the Weston front: the once-sleepy Sydney street suddenly at war over the GreenWay | Sydney

Residents of a Sydney street are voicing concerns over safety and disruption following the opening of the city’s inner west GreenWay, a popular pedestrian and cycling corridor. The group held a snap meeting with a local councillor to discuss the impact of increased traffic on their once-quiet residential street.

Concerns on Weston Street

Residents of Weston Street in Dulwich Hill are frustrated with the increased foot and bike traffic resulting from the $57m GreenWay, which runs 6km from Iron Cove to the Cooks River. The street serves as a link between the northern and southern sections of the trail where an off-road path is unavailable.

Since opening in mid-December, the GreenWay has attracted thousands of visitors, particularly on weekends. Residents report issues including noise disruption, damage to gardens, and feeling unsafe crossing the street. Some residents have described the situation as a “Herculean tsunami of a community-wide mental health crisis.”

‘Death Corner’

Residents fear someone will be seriously injured or killed by a vehicle. They have erected signs calling for the GreenWay to be completed, suggesting an alternative route that avoids Weston Street. Locals have also reported instances of cyclists behaving aggressively and dog waste being placed in their bins.

The Inner West mayor, Darcy Byrne, says the GreenWay is “going gangbusters” and plans are underway for a GreenWay half-marathon, as well as a series of six events a year. A Sydney bike rave, attended by about 200 people, has already been held along the route.

Troops of Tourists

Residents say the increased traffic has eroded the social cohesion of their street. They report waking up to noise from joggers and conversations, and experiencing large groups of tourists passing through, sometimes by coach. They support the GreenWay concept but believe the Weston Street section is “not fit for purpose.”

Residents have suggested implementing a 20km/h speed limit, installing traffic calming measures, improving signage, and redirecting traffic to Windsor Road. The Inner West council says the GreenWay’s usage is “performing above expectation” and that they are working with the community to address safety and accessibility concerns.

Bruce Ashley, an environmental planning consultant and advocate for the GreenWay, acknowledges the need for improvements, including path widening and a potential speed limit. He highlighted the positive impact of the path, recalling a young girl describing cycling on the GreenWay as “like freedom.”