Fed-up motorists have called on a local council to remove a “ridiculous” road sign they say is causing traffic chaos while only benefiting a handful of cyclists.
Residents have continued to raise concerns about the ‘no left turn’ sign at Riverside Crescent, near Dulwich Hill in Sydney’s west.
The sign, which was installed in February 2021 without community feedback, blocks a key exit on the Dulwich Hill side of the Wardell Road bridge.
The bridge, which crosses the Cooks River, is a busy road regularly used by motorists from the Inner West and Canterbury-Bankstown LGAs.
Motorists say the “no left turn” sign prevents drivers from entering the intersection and reaching the surrounding suburbs, causing delays that last for miles.
“The strange thing is that you can still turn right into the street – a cynic might say they are trying to stop the invaders from Canterbury trying to come in via the river, across their moat,” one Earlwood resident said. news.com.au.
“We’ve always had a bit of trouble getting out because it’s surrounded by the river. We only have two or three bridges to choose from,” said another resident.
The sign was installed as part of the construction of a 6km cycle path from the Cooks River to the northern section of the Parramatta River at Iron Cove.
Motorists have expressed outrage over the sign, as it prevents drivers from entering the intersection and reaching several suburbs, causing traffic chaos (photo)
Funding for the $10 million shared cycle and walking path was secured in August 2022 as part of the state government’s Get NSW Active program.
A technical report by Inner West City Council, published in 2018, found that the sign would only cause minor traffic disruption.
Angry residents signed a petition to remove the sign, with 84 percent of motorists indicating they were dissatisfied with the sign.
According to the petition organizer, the majority of residents did not know why the sign had been put up and found it “ridiculous or a joke.”
The council came up with an amended plan to allow vehicles over 6 metres in height to access the intersection after the petition gathered almost 600 signatures.
The council has also consulted with local people to install signs further along Riverside Crescent reading ‘Do Not Turn Left’.
Residents were not given the opportunity to discuss whether the sign should be removed altogether.
Furious residents have signed a petition to force Inner West Council to remove the ‘left turn’ sign at Riverside Crescent (pictured showing traffic on the street)
The council agreed to keep the original sign in December 2022. A spokesperson said the matter had now been resolved.
“The sign was installed to reduce traffic on local streets while encouraging cycling on the Greenway portions,” the spokesperson said.
A Canterbury City Council spokeswoman in Bankstown said residents’ concerns had been raised with Inner West City Council.
The council is also understood to have assessed traffic conditions on Wardell Road.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Inner West and City of Canterbury Bankstown Council for further comment.