Oxford St fed up with RTA

Oxford Street is set to become a battleground between government agencies as state and local governments look sure to butt heads with the RTA over the thoroughfare’s future.

The City of Sydney Council (COSC) endorsed the Paddington and Centennial Park Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming (PCTC) Plan on February 22 2010. The PCTC outlines several key issues which should be remedied to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in the area.

The proposed changes included; the introduction of a right turn from Flinders St into Oxford St, a signalised crossing in Oxford St on the eastern side of South Dowling St, pedestrian facilities in South Dowling St near Napier St, additional signalised crossings in the “Driver Triangle Area” and the intersection at the Oxford St/Moore Park Rd/Lang Rd/Queen St intersection, and installation of 40km/h speed limit on all local roads within the area.

The RTA rejected all but one of the recommendations in a letter to council saying that many of the recommendations would result in increased traffic congestion; they said they would review the speed limits in the area.

Concerned business owners and local residents have joined forces to petition government leaders to stand up to the RTA on the issues surrounding the area.

Convenor of the “Three Saints Square Project” and co-owner of the Beauchamp Hotel, Sue Ritchie, is spearheading the attack on the RTA. Ms Ritchie has gained the support of several business groups and local organisations in her quest to see the area “get its mojo back.”

The group has called for state leaders and candidates to respond with their plan of action to take on the RTA. Ms Ritchie has sent out emails demanding a reply by March 11 so that her supporters will know which way to vote in the state election on March 26.

“It’s a state election issue for the seat,” she said. “Oxford Street has been turned from a high street into a highway, the RTA imposes solutions that are all about traffic movements and they call pedestrians ‘friction’, I mean this is the sort of culture we’re dealing with.”

Lord Mayor Clover Moore responded quickly to the call to arms pledging her support for the proposed measures.

Ms Ritchie lamented the RTA’s insistence on clearways, bus lanes and lack of adequate signage saying the measures “killed all the business” in the area.

Shadow Minister for Small Business Don Page seemed empathetic to issues raised by Ms Ritchie at a recent forum in Potts Point. Mr Page described the RTA as “disconnected” and reassured concerned local business owners that times are changing.

“We are going to try and change the culture of the RTA as an organisation,” he said. “To make them more conscious of the impact they have on small and medium size enterprises.”