In February 2021, a new No Left Turn sign was installed, without warning, on the Dulwich Hill side of the Wardell Road bridge, preventing vehicles from entering Riverside Crescent.

The sign was installed to slow traffic and reduce traffic volumes in Ness Avenue, the final stretch of road linking a major 'bike boulevard' (GreenWay) to the Cooks River.

Unfortunately, the sign has created some issues that were either not foreseen or were not considered important during the planning stage for GreenWay:

1. Worsened an existing traffic problem on Wardell Road during morning peak, forcing drivers to remain in the long queue of traffic waiting to get through the lights at Ewart Street.
2. Impeded access to Ewen Park, Hurlstone Park and surrounding areas, forcing drivers to go round the long way to reach their destination.
3. Caused some drivers to use the petrol station as an alternative way to access Riverside Crescent.

In a local survey carried out in May 2021, 84% of motorists (who use Wardell Road to travel north during morning peak) said they were dissatisfied with the No Left Turn sign. Most people had no idea why the sign had been installed and many said they thought it was ridiculous or a joke.

The survey results were shared with the Inner West Council (IWC), causing them to rethink the No Left Turn sign. Subsequently, the IWC came up with a revised proposal to restrict the sign to vehicles over 6m (meaning that cars and other smaller vehicles would still be able to turn left into Riverside).

Those who became aware of the revised proposal were able to submit their feedback on the IWC's website. Council indicated that the results of this "community engagement" would be shared early in 2022.

It took the IWC eleven months to communicate the results of the first public consultation. Council simply said the proposal to restrict the sign to vehicles over 6m “was not supported by the community.”

In August 2022, Council carried out a second public consultation. Two new options were proposed that would see the existing No Left Turn sign replaced with a new sign: NLT sign (Vehicles Over 6 meters). These options proposed the instalment of one or more additional No Left Turn signs further down Riverside Crescent. A third option was proposed that would leave the sign as is. No option was provided to remove the sign entirely.

Nearly 80% of those who provided feedback to the IWC supported an amendment to the ‘No Left Turn’ sign to allow vehicles under 6m to turn left once again into Riverside Crescent (i.e. supported Option 1 or 2).

In spite of there being a convincing winner, the Council's Local Traffic Committee recommended deferring its decision to amend the sign. On 13 December 2022, the Council decided that deferral created uncertainty for local residents. The IWC voted unanimously to retain the sign.

The No Left Turn sign should never have been installed. There was no consultation with Canterbury-Bankstown residents. The sign causes traffic congestion and pollution and wastes people’s time and petrol. On bad traffic days it causes 1,000 motorists to spend 10-15 minutes extra per day to travel up Wardell Road.

The IWC argues that the aim of the No Left Turn is to reduce traffic in the local area but then announces a rezoning proposal that would see 631 new dwellings built around Dulwich Hill station. Go figure!

Sign this petition to remind Council that you continue to object to the No Left Turn sign and you want it removed.