Parramatta Road is a highway in Sydney, Australia, and it is considered as “the longest stretch of ugliness in the world” for its conditions that are very unfriendly, especially towards pedestrians. Now, the Inner West Council approved a plan to build new parks, create public art and cycleways, as well as plant new trees. The plan costs $13 million.
The council's master plan is designed to transform streetscapes around Parramatta Road, such as Pyrmont Bridge Road in Camperdown, Crystal Street in Petersham and Catherine Street in Leichhardt.
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But the plan does not address basic problems – such as damaged footpaths – on the busy road, said Vera Nadile, a director of Euroespresso on Parramatta Road in Annandale.
“They’re spending money on locations other than Parramatta Road,” she said. “They’re thinking of putting really nice plants in all the other streets and that’s going to look great. But each one of those trees is going to cost a fortune.”
Ms Nadile also said business owners were concerned that new cycleways would result in a loss of parking and loading areas in front of their shops.
“I think what they want to do is good for the area but I don’t agree with removing everybody’s parking to put bike paths in,” she said.
More details over at The Sydney Morning Herald.
What are your thoughts on this one?
(Image Credit: Inner West Council)