Sydney’s Castlereagh Street is set to be transformed into a greener inner-city promenade, with footpaths widened, opportunities for more outdoor dining and a separated cycleway for commuters and delivery riders, City of Sydney Council has announced.
Under the Council proposal, footpath space along the western side of Castlereagh Street from Liverpool Street to King Street will be almost doubled to meet demand from local businesses for al fresco dining spaces.
The 800-metre cycleway will fill a missing link in the bike network connecting the north and south of the City of Sydney and will connect to cycleways serving the eastern suburbs, inner west, north shore and city south.
Lord Mayor, Clover Moore said the plan will support Council’s COVID-19 recovery initiatives by providing more opportunities for hospitality venues and local businesses.
“Improving this historic street will benefit workers, residents, visitors and businesses looking to bounce back from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the Lord Mayor said.
“In December last year many bus routes were moved from Castlereagh Street to Elizabeth Street, enabling us to work together with the State Government to create a people-focused street with higher pedestrian activity and lower levels of traffic.
“Our plans for Castlereagh Street will also make it safer, easier and more accessible for people using the new city centre Metro stations, due to open in 2024.
“We will improve the walking experience by widening footpaths for better amenity and providing space for trees and seating.
“Cyclists will also be able to ride in both directions along the length of the promenade, reinventing it as a conveniently linked and safe cycling route.”
Rosebery resident, Cathal McReynolds recently wrote to the Lord Mayor to add his support for a Castlereagh Street cycleway. He says the connection would enable him to ride from home into the city centre for work.
“I always wanted to commute to the city on a bike, but I haven’t got that kind of confidence on the roads when I cycle. Motorists in Sydney can be bad, so I currently commute to work via train from Green Square,” Mr Cathal told Council.
“The Castlereagh cycleway is one of the last links required for me to cycle to work safely and would join with the pop-up in Pitt Street to take me to my office in Australia Square.
“I enjoy exercise and cycling is one of the ways I like to keep active. The cycling infrastructure from Rosebery to the city is quite good, until I get to Castlereagh Street. To be able to ride safely in the city can’t be taken for granted.”
Council says the proposed upgrade for Castlereagh Street aligns with the State Government’s Movement and Place Framework. The City of Sydney has worked closely with key property owners and tenants along the street, including Fire and Rescue NSW, to understand and address their operational needs.
The City of Sydney’s Castlereagh Street designs include:
- uninterrupted access for emergency vehicles;
- accessible loading zones on the eastern side of Castlereagh Street;
- peak hour bus lane and a drop off and pick up point for taxi services;
- designated drop off and pick up point for people accessing the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel;
- maintained access to properties and driveways;
- additional trees planted along the street.
Pedestrians account for up to three-quarters of movements along Castlereagh Street, but are only given around one third of the street space, Council says. This project aims to help redress the imbalance, it said.
A cycle counter on Castlereagh Street south has consistently recorded around 4,000 trips per week over the past few years. The City expects that trips on the completed Castlereagh Street cycleway would soon rise to 10,000 trips a week and continue to grow.
Public consultation is now underway. Feedback on the proposal is welcome online at Sydney Your Say.
