Cromer residents expected safer roads, but instead, they got a traffic nightmare. Following a minor adjustment, a once-smooth intersection at Grover Avenue has been narrowed to a single lane, forcing cars to queue up and sparking outrage in the community.
A Plan Gone Wrong
The roadworks, aimed at enhancing traffic safety with two roundabouts at Fisher Road and Middleton Road, were initially well received. As part of the project, the community was consulted on additional improvements, including upgrades to an existing pedestrian crossing and minor intersection changes. However, when construction began at Grover Avenue, residents were blindsided by the modifications that had never been discussed.
Previously, the street allowed one inbound lane and two informal outbound lanes, ensuring smooth traffic flow. Council’s consultation suggested a potential change to consolidate outbound lanes for pedestrian safety.
However, the final design unexpectedly restricted the entry point to Grover Avenue to a single lane, creating a bottleneck. Locals say this has made access dangerous, particularly for families attending sports events at St Matthews Farm Reserve, which sees up to 400 vehicle movements per hour during peak times.
Community Backlash and Safety Concerns
Outraged residents confronted representatives at a community meeting on 25 February, questioning why the project had deviated from the consulted plans.
Several locals raised safety concerns, arguing that the changes had made the road more dangerous, not safer. One long-time Cromer resident reported a near head-on collision due to the sudden narrowing of the road. During the community meeting, multiple incidents of cars struggling to navigate the restricted entry were observed.
Narrabeen Ward’s Cr Ruth Robins and Cr Vincent De Luca OAM acknowledged the community’s frustration, with Cr De Luca criticising the repeated failures in delivering infrastructure projects as promised. He pointed to similar issues in Manly, Curl Curl, and Freshwater, where decisions had sparked backlash.
The Director of Transport and Assets, Campbell Pfeiffer, admitted that Council had failed to inform residents of the last-minute changes. He stated that a subsequent road risk assessment led to the decision to narrow the entrance, but staff had neglected to consult the public before implementing it. Mr Pfeiffer apologised for the oversight and assured residents that their concerns were being taken seriously.
Next Steps
Work on Grover Avenue has been paused and three alternative design options have been released for public consultation.
OPTION A
Option A – Adjust Kerb Alignment Slightly
- The kerb alignment on the northern side of Grover Avenue could be shifted 0.5m north, which would widen the road at the entrance.
- However, this change would not provide enough space for a left-turning vehicle to wait while another vehicle passes.
- A timed “No Right Turn” restriction (7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays) is proposed.
- This restriction would force vehicles heading south on Fisher Road North during weekend sporting events to turn left out of Grover Avenue and use the roundabout to make a U-turn.
OPTION B
Option B – Moving the Crossing
- The pedestrian crossing on Fisher Road North would be relocated away from the petrol station to the southern side of Grover Avenue.
- This would allow the northern kerb in Grover Avenue to revert to its original location.
- To maintain walking and cycling connectivity, an additional pedestrian crossing would be installed in Grover Avenue.
- Bus stops would need to be relocated slightly south.
- Updated on 3 March: The plan now includes a “no stopping” line on Grover Avenue, which was not originally indicated.
OPTION C
Option C – No Right Turn (7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday)
- A timed “No Right Turn” restriction (7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays) would be implemented.
- Vehicles wanting to head south on Fisher Road North during weekend sporting events would be forced to turn left out of Grover Avenue.
- These vehicles would use the roundabout to make a U-turn instead of turning right directly.
The consultation period for these options is open until 14 March 2025, and the Council promises to review feedback before proceeding with any further changes.
Published 7-March-2024