Moorefield Estate residents say the promised traffic improvements from stage one of the M6 (previously known as the F6) are “a huge fallacy”.
They predict traffic congestion in the area will increase as a result of the new twin tunnels and huge housing development in St George and Sutherland Shire.
State Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes formally approved the project, which the government says will cost up to $2.6 billion, on December 20.
Mr Stokes said construction would begin by early 2022 and the project completed by the end of 2025, which is a year later than originally projected.
Mr Stokes said the four-kilometre twin tunnels from the New M5 motorway at Arncliffe to President Avenue, Kogarah would cut 15 minutes off the time of the present journey and remove 2000 trucks a day from local streets.
However, the Moorefield Estate M6 Committee said the promised improvements were “a huge fallacy” and the motorway would prove an “environmental and traffic disaster.”
“These vehicles will exit the M6 tunnel and onto local roads,” committee spokeswoman Anne Field said.
“There will also be so many more cars on the road as a result of the increased residential density, both in the local area and in the shire.
“Therefore, the journey through the tunnel is unlikely to save time as continuously claimed.
“Motorists may, in fact, choose to avoid long delays, and the toll, by continuing to use the current road system.”
Ms Field said the intended installation of more traffic lights in President Avenue would result in constant traffic jams and, therefore, a slow journey.
Ms Field said the motorway would also affect air quality around the tunnel entry and exit in President Avenue.
“We have recently experienced poor air quality as a result of the bushfires,” she said. ” What will our air quality be like with increased car and truck volumes, as well as a stack?”
Ms Field said construction of the tunnel exit/entry would result in the destruction of 449 trees.
“Residents are also very mindful of the impacts of the M6 on the wetland corridor. The shared cycleway and pedestrian bridge over President Avenue may have been promoted as a plus, but its construction and use will be carefully monitored.”
(courtesy of the St George Leader 29th January 2020)
