Home / Lifestyle / Sydney Trail Blamed for Resident Mental Health Crisis
Sydney Trail Blamed for Resident Mental Health Crisis
16 Mar
Summary
- Thousands flock to new Sydney inner west trail.
- Residents face mental health crisis from trail users.
- Safety concerns escalate on Weston Street link.
Sydney's new GreenWay, a 6km pedestrian and cycling corridor, has become immensely popular since opening in mid-December. However, residents along Weston Street in Dulwich Hill, which serves as a crucial link for the trail, report that their lives have been severely disrupted.
The influx of thousands of cyclists, runners, and tourists, especially on weekends, has transformed the quiet residential street into a high-traffic area. Residents are experiencing excessive noise, littering, and increasingly dangerous conditions, with one noting, "The GreenWay is going gangbusters UP MY STREET."
Concerns have escalated to the point where some residents describe a "Herculean tsunami of a community-wide mental health crisis." They fear that without urgent intervention, a serious accident involving a vehicle is inevitable. Incidents reported include dog waste in bins, cyclists gesturing offensively, and pedestrians trampling garden beds.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne celebrates the GreenWay's success, with plans for events like a half-marathon in the works. However, residents feel their safety and quality of life are being compromised, with signs erected on the street pleading to "FINISH THE GREENWAY" to reroute traffic away from Weston Street.
The council acknowledges the popularity and states that "ongoing work to review and address safety and accessibility in the area" is occurring. Environmental planning consultant Bruce Ashley, a long-time advocate, suggests improvements like path widening and speed limits, noting the street is no longer a shortcut due to closures.
Despite supporting the GreenWay's concept, residents on Weston Street feel they are being treated as "2ND CLASS CITIZENS." They advocate for safety measures, such as traffic calming and a 20km/h speed limit, to mitigate risks they believe are a matter of "when - but when" for serious injury.
