Wollondilly Council has joined forces with local MP Nathaniel Smith to launch a petition calling on the NSW Government to build a Picton bypass as soon as possible.
The petition was established following a resolution at the November meeting of council and seeks to address significant issues including the traffic chaos that arises in Picton when Victoria Bridge is closed for repairs or following accidents on the bridge.
Council has also highlighted the impacts of traffic growth in Picton due to planned residential development, as well as the urgent need for improvements to emergency access during natural disasters.
“Council is urging the State Government to fast-track construction of a Picton bypass, to help ease growing congestion in Picton and most importantly to avoid a repeat of the gridlock that occurred a year ago during the Green Wattle Creek bushfire evacuation,’’ says Wollondilly Mayor Robert Khan.
“We encourage Wollondilly residents and all those who commute through the town of Picton to add their names to the e-petition on the NSW Parliament page to demonstrate the critical need for the bypass to be built.”
Wollondilly MP Nathaniel Smith said that consultation on the recommended corridor released by Transport for NSW closed on February 22.
All feedback received during the consultation process would be considered when finalising a bypass route.
“The Wollondilly community is calling out for the Picton bypass to be fast-tracked to provide a safe evacuation route, an alternative route for heavy vehicles as well as addressing traffic congestion in the Picton centre,” he said.
The e-petition, which will be open until May 18, can be viewed at https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/pages/epetitions-list.aspx
