Pittwater Life May 2024 Issue

News
Mona bus reroute rethink
Residents of Mona Vale’s
Cook Terrace are waiting
for Council confirmation before
celebrating a bittersweet
victory in their battle to stop
the rerouting of a major bus
service down their street.
Last month, a review of
a proposal put forward by
Northern Beaches Council,
bus operator Keolis Downer
and Transport for NSW
(TfNSW), landed on two options
– one a “compromise”
outcome that would spare
Cook Terrace from figuring in
the re-routing.
That is the preferred option
of adjudicator the Northern
Beaches Local Traffic Committee
– which if enacted would
mean neighbouring Melbourne
Avenue would bear the brunt
of the traffic switch.
As Pittwater Life reported
in March, local residents received
a letter from Council in
January about the rerouting
of the 155 bus, which services
the Mona Vale Hospital to
Northern Beaches Hospital
run, due to safety reasons.
The bus currently operates
up and down Narrabeen
Park Parade. The rerouting
proposal was to the run’s
northbound buses through
Melbourne Avenue and then
Cook Terrace.
Council said it had received
concerns from residents and
bus drivers regarding the
limited opportunities for two
buses to pass each other on
Narrabeen Park Parade between
Melbourne Avenue and
Cook Terrace.
The NB Local Traffic Committee
heard representations
from Councillors and State MP
Rory Amon before agreeing to
support two options moving
forward – with a solely Melbourne
Avenue diversion as
its preferred option, pending
TfNSW approval.
However, Councillor Michael
Gencher said both the
proposed options fell short
of addressing primary safety
concerns and could exacerbate
other safety issues.
PROTEST: Cook Terrace residents,
with Cr Gencher, opposing the bus
shift in February.
“Both options presented may
offer some benefits in terms
of convenience or parking, but
they appear to neglect the overarching
safety considerations
and disregard community
preferences,” he said.
“It’s essential that any
alterations prioritise enhancing
safety for all road users.
Failure to do so could lead to
unforeseen consequences and
potential risks to public safety.”
He added that both options
seemed to introduce new safety
concerns, such as potential
conflicts between buses and
pedestrians or increased congestion
in certain areas due to
the relocation of bus stops.
“These unintended consequences
could further
jeopardise road safety and exacerbate
frustrations among
residents,” he said.
“The proposed options
for the bus rerouting appear
to prioritise other considerations
and the interests of
Keolis Downer over addressing
the initial safety concerns
and community preferences.
“It’s imperative that any
changes to transportation
routes prioritise safety and
incorporate meaningful community
engagement to ensure
that the final decision reflects
the best interests of all stakeholders
involved.
“Failure to do so risks compromising
public safety and
eroding trust in the decisionmaking
process.” – Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell us at
readers@pittwaterlife.com.au
14 MAY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991