In an effort to improve vehicle travel times and traffic flow, Transport for NSW is looking to widen the Westlink M7 in Western Sydney. But some groups are criticising the project for its lack of consideration for active transport.
The Westlink M7 is a key transport route for the Sydney metropolitan area. Transport for NSW have proposed adding an additional lane in each direction between the M5 interchange at Prestons and the Westlink M7 bridge at Richmond Road in Glendenning.
Running parallel to the motorway is the popular Westlink M7 Shared Path, which spans nearly 40km between Prestons and Baulkham Hills and is fully separated from road traffic. The shared path already accommodates hundreds of bike riding commuters during the week.
Bicycle NSW have expressed a number of concerns about the project. In the short term, the inconveniences associated with potential detours and closures of the shared path may suppress active transport behaviours.
But more importantly, Bicycle NSW are concerned that the project will not deliver improved active travel linkages and connections with the wider network, and in turn thus hindering the uptake of active travel.
In their submission to the M7 Widening Project, Bicycle NSW argue that this “contradicts the ‘2021 Providing for Walking and Cycling in Transport Projects Policy’ which requires every transport project funded by Transport for NSW to include provision for walking and cycling, which must be delivered from the outset of the project”.
Blacktown City Council has also expressed criticisms of the M7 Widening project, with Mayor Tony Bleasdale arguing that “there is a desperate need for more shared user pathways to improve pedestrian and cycle access across the motorway and to and from the M7 cycleway”.
The NSW Government will be making record investments in active transport as part of its Get NSW Active program, with the aim to encourage and increase active transport uptake.
However, the absence of any plans to improve active travel along the M7 Motorway could be seen as a lost opportunity to promote alternative transport options as part of the decongestion strategy. Options that are healthy, sustainable, and cost-effective.
Improvements to the M7 Shared Path would focus mainly on enhancing the user experience, such as the provision of drinking fountains, bike repair stations, toilet amenities, furniture, and tree canopies.
Such provisions would assist in future proofing the shared path and encourage people to kickstart a bike riding lifestyle in a safe, convenient, and enjoyable setting.
The M7 Widening Project status currently remains in the consultation phase. Community feedback was requested for the project’s Modification Report (available here), which ended on August 23rd. Transport for NSW are now reviewing submissions.
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