Plans to enhance City's pedestrian and cyclist network move ahead

Parramatta is set to become an even more active City with plans for three pedestrian and cyclist projects - Bennelong Parkway Bridge and Paths, Toongabbie to Westmead Corridor, and Wilderline to Duck River Paths - going on public exhibition next week.

These plans set a vision to transform Parramatta into a safer community with proposals for new footpaths and bike paths, safer crossing facilities, boardwalks and bridges to improve pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure in Wentworth Point, Granville to Clyde, and from Toongabbie to Westmead.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Pierre Esber said these projects, funded in partnership with Transport for NSW, will provide safe and sustainable options as more people walk and cycle in our community.

"We've seen an increase in cycling and walking within our city with Parramatta River foreshore path usage doubling since 2017," Cr Esber said.

"There are about 500-600 people who walk or cycle across Alfred Street Bridge every day, so we know how much our community value these paths, it makes it easier for people to travel for work or school within our City."

Transport for NSW has provided more than $584,000 in funding to Council so far through its Get NSW Active Program to deliver these vital walking and cycling projects for the community.

The proposed Bennelong Parkway Bridge and Connecting Paths project in Wentworth Point will form part of the iconic Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link, and a key link in completing the Homebush Bay Circuit.

The upgrades to Bennelong Park include a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over Haslams Creek, separate cycle paths along Bennelong Parkway, raised priority crossings for pedestrians and cyclists at the Archery Centre and Wentworth Common, an upgraded roundabout at the intersection of the Piazza and Bennelong Parkway and new median planting along Bennelong Parkway.

The proposed Toongabbie to Westmead pedestrian and cyclist corridor looks to improve safety, travel time, permeability and amenity alongside the rail line, whilst minimising impacts to the environment. It features separated pedestrian and cyclist paths where space allows, and retains parking capacity to meet the current needs, particularly at stations.

The Wilderline will follow the disused T6 Heavy Rail Line between Camellia and Clyde and will include significant revegetation to 're-wild' the corridor.

The community are invited to provide feedback on the section of the Wilderline that will stretch from A'Becketts Creek to Duck River, south of Clyde.

A separate section of the Wilderline pathway, through Rosehill, will be delivered as part of the future Metro West project, and will connect to the existing Parramatta Light Rail Active Transport Link at Camellia.

The community can have their say on these projects between 28 March and 30 April 2024.