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Sunset Road, Glenfield - Clearway Sunset Road, Glenfield - Clearway

Proposal status: Feedback closed 5 March 2019. Last updated 22 July 2019

Reference number: RTV-198

We've proposed changes in your area

In February 2019, we proposed to add a clearway on Sunset Road in Glenfield. The clearway would be effective during the hours of 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6:30pm, between property number 7 and the intersection with Girrahween Drive. 

Download the proposal drawing for Sunset Road (PDF 400KB)

Why the changes are needed

This is expected to improve traffic flow by reducing congestion during peak periods.

Proposal outcome

This project will proceed without changes to the next stage of detailed planning. Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback. A summary of this feedback and answers to community questions and concerns is below.

Feedback received

  • This proposal received positive responses from community members and stakeholders who supported the improved traffic flow the proposal will enable.

Suggested changes

  • Respondents suggested limiting the clearway to the mornings only, as they do not believe it is necessary.
    The typical traffic activity along this road justifies having a clearway apply to the evenings as well.
  • Respondents suggested extending the clearway to other side also.
    We do not believe this is justified at this stage, as the main traffic congestion occurs in the westbound direction.
  • Respondents suggested converting the road to two lanes.
    Sunset Road unofficially becomes a two-lane road during the peak period. The addition of clear ways increases the extent of this. For this reason, we have found that creating an official two-lane would be unjustified. Outside of the clearway hours, vehicles will park on the southern frontage, creating one lane again.
  • Respondents suggested installing broken yellow lines on the opposite side of the road.
    The congestion issue occurs during the peak period, predominantly in the westbound direction along Sunset Road. Therefore, we have decided that broken yellow lines on the other side of the road would unnecessarily remove further parking.

Other concerns

  • Respondents suggested that the retaining wall supporting the footpath between #14 and #24 remains in extremely poor condition. At least one vertical pole is missing and the wall is partially collapsed.
    This request is out of scope for this project which focuses on traffic movements along the road and has been referred to the appropriate team to investigate.
  • Respondents suggested that traffic back-up from the roundabout at Sunset/Caribbean/Target is also often the cause of eastbound congestion in this section of road. Respondent requests intervention to alleviate this issue.
    This request is out of scope for this project which focuses on Sunset Road, but we have added it to our schedule for future investigation.

Cyclist safety

  • Respondents suggested that the proposed changes would make this section of Sunset Road more hostile and dangerous for on-road cyclists. Respondents made several suggestions, including;
    • The introduction of a buffered and protected on-road cycle lane leading to ASBs at the intersection
    • A redesign of the entire intersection and approaches to optimise it for safety
    • A review of the implementation of Transit lanes.
    • The conversion of the footpath and verge to a shared path.

Due to budget limitations, we cannot commit to investigating the solutions you have suggested at this time. With regards to removing parking at this location, our research suggests that routes with low parking usage, and odd parked cars here and there - such as this mid-block section on Sunset Road - present a hazard for cyclists.

This could be attributed to people on bikes having to weave in and out between parked cars and potentially catching drivers off-guard, thus leading to conflict. Our observations for Sunset Road indicate that, for the section where clearway restrictions are proposed, the removal of parking during the peak periods would encourage both drivers and cyclists to become more aware of each other’s presence modify their behaviour accordingly.

We believe the proposed clearway restrictions along this section of Sunset Road will reduce delays to those using public transport, including those going to the central city.

Next steps

This work will happen before the end of December 2019, but we will let you know if there are further changes or delays. Our contractors will send notices to affected residents 48-hours prior to construction starting.