We need a safe crossing to Somerville Park

Call for traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing at Doomben Ave/Blaxland Rd.

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A dangerous intersection and broken refuge is the only connection to green space for 1000+ residents.

The NSW government and Parramatta Council just spent $4.8 million upgrading Somerville Park. But there is no safe access to the new facilities.

This is a petition for an upgrade from the current pedestrian refuge on Blaxland Rd connecting Doomben Ave to Somerville Park to a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights. The proposed lights and crossing would allow pedestrians to cross to and from Somerville Park and would make turning in and out of Doomben Ave safer for drivers.

Rationale

  • Roughly a thousand residents live on the other side of Blaxland Rd from Somerville Park, on Doomben Ave and Blaxland Rd.

  • These residents universally live in units with minimal or no recreational green space.

  • Somerville Park is the only nearby space for the many children growing up in these units to play outdoors safely.

  • Somerville Park is also home to Mindchamps Early Learning Childcare, which is the local childcare for residents.

  • Somerville Park also links to Terry’s Creek bushwalk where people volunteer, exercise and connect with nature.

  • Currently the only method for crossing the busy four-lane Blaxland Rd is a pedestrian refuge island.

  • The pedestrian refuge has been hit by cars numerous times. The damaged barriers frequently need replacing. In some instances the barriers have been knocked out completely.

  • There have been a large number of accidents involving drivers, pedestrians and cyclists at this junction, including a number of fatalities.

  • Residents report difficulty turning into and out of the street when driving.

  • Residents report feeling very unsafe using the crossing. This affects willingness to use the facilities at Somerville Park.

  • Residents get stranded in the middle of the road with prams and children for long periods.

  • Parramatta Council have spent $4.8 million upgrading the park. However, the people whose lives would be most improved by the park facilities - unit-dwellers - remain cut off from the park.

Traffic lights would:

  • Drastically increase safety for children and parents walking to and from the childcare centre.

  • Increase community use of Somerville oval, playground, exercise and sports facilities, and Terry’s Creek bushwalk and bushcare, thereby significantly improving residents

    • mental health

    • physical health

    • childhood development

    • community connection

  • Provide a safe walking route to Epping Metro Station.

  • Connect Doomben Ave to the cycleways towards Epping.

  • Improve driver safety turning in and out of Doomben Ave.

  • Improve safety for other cars on Blaxland Rd who often run into the back of cars turning right onto Doomben Ave.

The NSW Government and Parramatta Council must work together to address this serious need.