Carlingford residents concerned over fatality risks
TONY BOSWORTH | A CARLINGFORD resident is calling on City of Parramatta Council to urgently address what he describes as a dangerous road design flaw, warning a fatal head-on collision on Farnell Avenue is "only a matter of time" unless action is taken.
Volkan Uslu has raised concerns about Farnell Avenue near Balaka Drive, where he says the positioning of double unbroken centre lines, combined with illegal parking and a blind crest, is forcing motorists onto the wrong side of the road.
“I believe this poses a real risk of a fatal collision if left unaddressed,” Mr Uslu told Parramatta Times.
“The danger is there every weekend. Drivers are being forced to cross an unbroken double line into the path of oncoming traffic that they simply cannot see until they reach the top of the hill.”
Mr Uslu said council installed the double lines in 2022 because of limited visibility over the crest but later shifted them towards the eastern side of the road, leaving less than a metre between parked vehicles and the unbroken lines.
"As soon as someone parks there illegally, every driver travelling south has no choice but to cross the double line to get around them,” he said.
“They're effectively forced onto the wrong side of the road, even though oncoming vehicles remain hidden by the crest.”
Mr Uslu said the road is heavily used by buses and local traffic, with conditions becoming busier since the opening of the NSW Service Centre at North Rocks Shopping Centre.
"A blind crest with an unbroken double line is challenging enough for experienced motorists," he said. "For learner drivers, who are still developing hazard awareness and confidence, it's an unforgiving situation."
He said he first raised the issue with council in April 2022, requesting a No Stopping zone to prevent illegal parking, but the request was declined in favour of relying on road rules and enforcement.
"Council knows these vehicles are parked illegally because they're issuing fines," he said. "But instead of removing the hazard, they're continuing to ticket motorists after the problem has already been created."
Nothing to worry about, says council
The Council told Parramatta Times that since January this year it has issued just two Penalty Infringement Notices on Farnell Avenue - one for parking within 10 metres of an intersection and one for parking too close to the dividing line. It has also received four resident service requests relating mainly to parking near the intersection.
Council said a review of the past five years of crash data found no collision pattern warranting changes to the current road layout.
Mr Uslu said relocating the barrier lines to the centre of the road, installing No Stopping signs and introducing measures such as kerb build-outs or bollards would provide a safer solution.
"What makes this so frustrating is that four years later nothing has changed," he said.
"The same illegal parking, the same blind crest and the same dangerous manoeuvres are happening every weekend."
He said the risk is greatest during sporting events at nearby North Rocks Park when overflow parking spills into Farnell Avenue.
"When you've got buses, families, learner drivers and residents all using the same stretch of road, it really is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed."
A council spokesperson told Parramatta Times: "Council actively supports road safety through community education and reviewing and enforcing regulations.
"In 2023, to enhance road safety, Council installed double line markings... while retaining parking on one side of the road. There are no plans to make changes at this stage as the line marking complies with Transport for NSW requirements."
The spokesperson said parking compliance was generally good, with rangers continuing to monitor the area, and encouraged residents to report illegal parking through council's website or by calling 1300 617 058.
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