Traffic gridlock at Cumberland High School (CHS) and Carlingford West Public School (CWPS) has sparked safety concerns among locals.
A recent City of Parramatta council meeting has drawn attention to the “extreme levels of congestion” currently occurring near the local schools during peak hours.
With the population continuing to increase and the proposed Telopea Precinct Redevelopment expected to generate an additional 625 high school students, CHS’s current number of 801 students is predicted to increase to 2,040.
In CWPS, a permanent cap of 555 students has been increased to a proposed 1,800, driven by catchment area issues and increased development.
With the schools set only to grow, the Parramatta council has voiced its concern about the already “crippling” traffic issues.
A notice of motion, moved by Councillor Georgina Valjak, has pushed to relay concerns over the traffic to the Department of Planning and Environment and to Schools Infrastructure NSW.
As a result of continued parking infringements, the council will also consider the installation of cameras in the streets adjacent to CWPS identified as the most problematic.
Cr Valjak said the roads were not built to handle the current capacity and that it brings the suburb to a “standstill” every school day during drop off and pick up times.
“I was invited to join the residents and walk around these cul-de-sacs next to the primary school and was shocked at the traffic gridlock and primary school children darting between cars,” Cr Valjak said.
“After being informed of a recent incident with a student where police and ambulance attended, I bring this to the Chamber’s attention as there is nothing more important than the safety, health and wellbeing of our community.”
Speaking of a recent meeting with residents that she attended, Cr Valjak shared that the congestion on the road has become so bad that some locals weren’t able to make appointments during peak hours.
“A family with a chronically sick child pray that an ambulance not be called on a school day during pick up or drop off times, as it has taken emergency services 54 minutes to reach Felton Road from Parramatta – a trip that would usually take seven minutes,” Cr Valjak said.
Cr Kellie Darley seconded the motion.
“When we met recently with Schools Infrastructure NSW (SINSW), a representative said ‘you wouldn’t build a school there now’ and yet, SINSW are looking to increase it,” Cr Darley said.
A proposed link road by SINSW for a one-way road between Dunmore Avenue and Blenheim Road will look to increase the flow of vehicles and help reduce congestion, but Cr Darley said it won’t fix the issue: “For us, the residents, it’s just pushing the issue around and not actually addressing it.”
The motion passed successfully.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.