A congestion-busting revamp of Parramatta Road will transform local business, says a new report by the Committee for Sydney.
The urban policy think tank group have proposed their vision for the 23km notoriously busy road, suggesting new public transport, wider footpaths and speed reductions will bring new life to street businesses.
With over two-thirds of the road’s shops currently vacant, they believe the upgrades would allow customers to feel more comfortable to sit at cafes along the footpath.
Some of the big ideas proposed include intermediate public transport for the Parramatta Road corridor from Burwood to Central, such as light rail or a trackless tram, a separated bike path, and reduced traffic speed.
They also suggest slip lanes to make pedestrian plazas and think new centres should be created along the road to return the street to the people.
CEO of the Committee for Sydney, Gabriel Metcalf said that while transforming Parramatta Road isn’t a new idea, the creation of Westconnex is a perfect opportunity to implement change.
“The basic test of a good high street is simple – would you feel comfortable having a coffee on the footpath outside a cafe?,” he said.
“For Parramatta Road, today that idea would be laughable – but our proposals would return Parramatta Road to a high street and a place where people congregate and spend time, while still maintaining important connectivity across Sydney.
“Collectively, the outcome of an improved and well connected public realm would stimulate a greater value in residential development along the road corridor, but more than that, it will stimulate new communities that grow around the new connection and see Parramatta Road as a renewed place of exception.”
Parramatta Road is Australia’s oldest city-to-city roadway.
With the opening of WestConnex to take cars off Parramatta Road, and the building of the Sydney West Metro train line, the committee believes now is the time to transform the road.
The report, Reclaiming Parramatta Road, was written with support from Grimshaw Architects, Mecone and PwC.
Managing Director of Mecone, Ben Hendriks said it is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity”.
“With the opening of Westconnex in 2023, we can move traffic underground and return Parramatta Road back into one of Sydney’s great streets for people,” he said.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.