Traffic Treatment - Pedestrian Boulevard Extension - George Street, Sydney

Decision Maker: Local Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee

Decision status: Recommendations Determined

Decisions:

2022/603696

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee endorse the following traffic treatments and parking changes in Sydney subject to Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) approving the Traffic Management Plan (TMP):

Proposed Stage 1 Works - to be implemented via temporary works on 9 January 2023

In George Street:

(A)      Footpath widening on the east side of George Street and permanent road closure of the southbound traffic lane of George Street, from Bond Street to Hunter Street;

(B)      Footpath widening on the west side of George Street and permanent road closure of the northbound traffic lane of George Street, from Bridge Street to Hunter Street;

In Jamison Street:

(A)      Permanent road closure of Jamison Street at George Street and extension of footpath across intersection;

(B)      Change road restrictions from one-way eastbound to two-way between York Street and George Street;

(C)      Removal of kerb extension on north side of Jamison Street at York Street and widen footpath on south side of Jamison Street;

(D)      On the north side, install "No Stopping" between the points 0 metres to 21.2 metres, east of York Street;

(E)      On the north side, install "No Stopping Aust. Post Vehicles Excepted 3min Limit 11am-6pm Mon-Fri" & "No Stopping TfNSW Vehicles Excepted All Other Times" between the points 21.2 metres to 28.2 metres, east of York Street;

(F)       On the north side, install "Loading Zone Ticket 6am-6pm Mon-Fri, 6am-10am Sat" and "4P Ticket 6pm-Midnight Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, 8am-10pm Sun & Public Holidays" between the points 28.2 metres to 64.2 metres, east of York Street;

(G)      On the north side, install "Taxi Zone 3pm-6pm Mon-Fri", "Loading Zone Ticket 6am-3pm Mon-Fri, 6am-10am Sat" and "4P Ticket 6pm-Midnight Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, 8am-10pm Sun & Public Holidays" between the points 64.2 metres to 82.2 metres, east of York Street;

(H)      On the north side, install "Taxi Zone" between the points 82.2 metres to 109.8 metres, east of York Street;

(I)        On the north side, install "No Stopping" between the points 109.8 metres to 121 metres, east of York Street;

(J)       On the south side, install "No Stopping" between the points 0 metres to 36.7 metres, east of York Street;

(K)      On the south side, install "Loading Zone Ticket 6am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 6am-10am Sat" and "4P Ticket 6pm-Midnight Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, 8am-10pm Sun & Public Holidays" between the points 76.5 metres to 94.4 metres, east of York Street; and

(L)       On the south side, install "No Stopping" between the points 94.4 metres to 121 metres, east of York Street.

In Lang Street:

(A)      On the south side, install "No Stopping" from 0 meters to 18.6 meters; and

(B)      On the south side, install "No Stopping 7am-10am, 3pm-7pm Mon-Fri" and "No Parking Coaches Excepted 15min Limit Other Times" from 18.6 meters to 36.4 meters.

In York Street:

(A)      Install kerb buildout at northeast corner of intersection with Margaret Street; and

(B)      Install "No Left Turn" restriction on York Street (southbound) to Margaret Street.

In Margaret Street:

(A)      Permanent road closure of Margaret Street at George Street and extension of footpath across intersection;

(B)      Install a 10km/h Shared Zone treatment on Margaret Street between Carrington Street and Wynyard Lane;

(C)      Install kerb buildouts and footpath widening between Carrington Street and York Street;

(D)      Change road restrictions from two-way to one-way westbound between York Street and Wynyard Lane;

(E)      Removal of the “No Right Turn 6.30am-9.30am, 3pm-7pm Mon-Fri” and "No Left Turn" restrictions on Margaret Street (eastbound) to York Street and install "Right Turn Only" restriction;

(F)       Install "No Entry" restriction on Margaret Street at east leg of intersection with York Street;

(G)      On the north side, install "No Stopping" between the points 0 metres to 21.8 metres, east of York Street;

(H)      On the north side, install "4P Ticket 6pm-10pm Mon-Fri, 10am-6.30pm Sat, 5pm-10pm Sun & Public Holidays", "Loading Zone Ticket 7am-9.30am 3.30pm-6pm Mon-Fri, 7am-10am Sat" and "No Parking 9.30am - 3.30pm Mon-Fri, 6.30pm-7pm Sat, 12 noon - 5pm Sun Wedding or Funeral Vehicles Excepted" between the points 21.8 metres to 33.8 metres, east of York Street;

(I)        On the north side, install "1/4P Ticket 7am-6pm Mon-Fri, 7am-10am Sat, Sun & Public Holidays" and "4P Ticket 6pm-10pm Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, Sun & Public Holidays" and "Loading Zone Ticket Other Times" between the points 33.8 metres to 50.4 metres, east of York Street;

(J)       On the north side, install "No Stopping" between the points 50.4 metres to 69.4 metres, east of York Street and from 0 meters to 46.2 meters east of Carrington Street;

(K)      On the south side, install "No Stopping" between the points 0 metres to 69.2 metres, east of York Street; and

(L)       On the south side, install "No Stopping" between the points 0 metres to 69.2 metres, east of York Street; and

(M)      On the south side, install "No Stopping" between the points 0 metres to 32.4 metres, east of York Street.

In Wynyard Street:

(A)      Change road restrictions from two-way to one-way eastbound between York Street and Wynyard Lane; and

(B)      Install a 10km/h Shared Zone treatment in Wynyard Street between Carrington Street and Wynyard Lane.

In Wynyard Lane:

(A)      Change road restrictions from one-way southbound to one-way northbound between Margaret Street and Wynyard Street; and

(B)      Install a 10km/h Shared Zone treatment in Wynyard Lane between Wynyard Street and Margaret Street.

In Carrington Street:

(A)      Install kerb buildouts at intersection with Margaret Street; and

(B)      Install "Left Turn Only" restriction at intersection with Margaret Street.

In Hunter Street:

(A)      Extend footpath across intersection with George Street;

(B)      Install "No Right Turn" and "No Entry Local Access Excepted" restrictions at intersection with George Street;

(C)      On the north side, install "No Stopping" between 0 meters and 32.8 meters east of George Street; and

(D)      On the south side, install "No Stopping" between 0 meters and 32.3 meters east of George Street.

In Bond Street:

(A)      Permanent road closure of Bond Street at George Street and extension of footpath across intersection;

(B)      Change road restrictions from one-way westbound to two-way between George Street and driveway to 16 Bond Street, Sydney;

(C)      On the north side, install "No Stopping" between 0 meters and 33.9 meters east of George Street;

(D)      On the north side, install "P5 min" between 33.9 meters and 45.8 meters east of George Street;

(E)      On the north side, install "Loading Zone Ticket 6am-6pm Mon-Fri, 6am-10am Sat" and "4P Ticket 6pm-Midnight Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, 8am-10pm Sun & Public Holidays" between 45.8 meters and 71.5 meters east of George Street;

(F)       On the south side, install "No Stopping" between 0 meters and 38.2 meters east of George Street; and

(G)      On the south side, install "No Stopping" between 38.2 meters and 58.2 east of George Street.

Proposed Stage 2 Works - to be implemented as part of the permanent works in late 2023

In George Street:

(A)      Footpath widening on the east side of George Street and permanent road closure of the southbound traffic lane of George Street, from Essex Street to Bridge Street;

(B)      Footpath widening on the west side of George Street and permanent road closure of the northbound traffic lane of George Street, from Essex Street to Bridge Street;

(C)      Removal of the “No Right Turn” restriction on George Street (southbound) to Essex Street.

In Essex Street:

(A)      Changes to kerb alignment at intersections with Harrington Street and George Street; and

(B)      Widen footpath on south side of Essex Street.

In Grosvenor Street:

(A)      Install "No Left Turn" restriction on Grosvenor Street (eastbound) to George Street;

(B)      Changes to kerb alignment at intersection with George Street; and

(C)      Removal of the “No Right Turn 6am-10am, 3pm-7pm Mon-Fri” restriction on Grosvenor Street (westbound) to Harrington Street.

In Bridge Street:

(A)      Install "No Right Turn" restriction on Bridge Street (westbound) to George Street.

Voting Members for this Item

 

Voting Members

Support

Object

City of Sydney

ü

 

Transport for NSW

ü

 

NSW Police – Sydney City PAC

ü

 

Representative for the Member for Sydney

ü

 

 

Advice

The Committee unanimously supported the recommendation and noted the following changes as follows: -

Proposed Stage 1a Works

In Jamison Street

·         Recommendation (B): Change road restrictions from one-way westbound to two-way between York Street and George Street.

In Margaret Street:

·         Recommendation (E): Retain “No Left Turn” restriction on Margaret Street (eastbound) to York Street.

·         Remove recommendation (L) and (M).

In Hunter Street:

·         Recommendation (B): Install “No Right Turn” and “No Entry Garbage and Loading Dock Access Excepted” restriction at intersection with George Street.

 

In Bond Street:

·         Recommendation (G): On the south side, install "Loading Zone Ticket 6am-6pm Mon-Fri, 6am-10am Sat" and "4P Ticket 6pm-Midnight Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, 8am-10pm Sun & Public Holidays" between 38.2 meters and 58.2 meters east of George Street.

Proposed Stage 1b Works

In George Street:

·         Recommendation (C): Removal of the “No Right Turn” restriction and install “Right Turn Only” restriction on George Street (southbound) to Essex Street.

In Essex Street:

·         Install “No Right Turn” and “Left Turn Only” restrictions on Essex Street (eastbound) to George Street.

In Dalley Street:

·         Permanent road closure of Dalley Street at George Street and extension of footpath across intersection.

Background

The City of Sydney's Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 Continuing the Vision strategic plan identifies George Street as the central spine of the city centre. The vision for George Street is a pedestrianised boulevard designed to provide a focus for public life in the city centre with light rail connecting three city squares – Circular Quay, Town Hall and Central Station.

The City's Community Recovery Plan in response to the Covid-19 pandemic included actions to continue the acceleration of the capital works program to upgrade city streets, parks and playgrounds; work with the NSW Government on city management initiatives such as mobility and transport, temporary footpath widening, cycleways, change signal timing, lower speed limits, travel demand planning and reprioritisation of roads; and invest in the pedestrianisation and activation of north George Street.

George Street, between Hunter Street and Railway Square, has had traffic treatments installed to close the road to general traffic and convert it into a pedestrian boulevard following the introduction of the CBD and South East Light Rail (CSELR).

To continue the pedestrian boulevard, it is proposed to install traffic treatments to close the road to general traffic and widen the footpath of George Street between Hunter Street and Alfred Street.

The proposed extension of the pedestrian boulevard of George Street includes footpath widening, traffic changes and the permanent road closure of nearby streets. These details are shown in the Concept Design included in Attachment A.

Report author: Alex Saunders

Publication date: 08/12/2022

Date of decision: 08/12/2022

Decided at meeting: 08/12/2022 - Local Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee

Accompanying Documents: