Palmer St closure on the cards

BY ROJE ADAIMY

Residents in East Sydney have been issued a notice from the City of Sydney proposing the partial closure of nearby Palmer Street.
The letter outlined a proposal to permanently close the street by joining the footpaths east and west of Palmer Street, on the southern side of Stanley Street, as part of Stanley Street upgrade works.
A City of Sydney spokesperson told The City News that the closure was identified in the City East Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) scheme that was unanimously endorsed by Council in May.
The LATM consultant’s report to Council stated that this section of Palmer Street provides local access, suggesting it could be closed to through traffic if agreed to by residents and users of the street.
“No final decision has been made as the City is still undertaking research and community consultation on the Stanley Street project,” the spokesperson said.
Jo Holder from Darlinghurst Resident Action Group (DRAG) said that closing a street in one part of the system will put addition stress on other parts of the local road system.
But one neighbouring resident, who lives opposite the proposed closure, openly welcomes the proposal.
“The road closure and reduced traffic would help offset the toxic smoke spewing out of the unfiltered stack from the Eastern Distributor at the intersection of Palmer and Stanley Streets,” he said.
“It would also calm traffic on the strip, thus making Stanley Street safer for walkers by and more conducive to outdoor dining.”
Written submissions will need to be received by Friday 25 July, according to Council.