Council invites feedback on draft design for Nepean Avenue shared pathway

Council is inviting feedback on a draft design to build a new 2.5m wide pathway along the western side of Nepean Avenue between Tench Reserve and Memorial Avenue.

The new path delivers a critical missing link on the Great River Walk by completing the Bridge-to-Bridge loop. Community consultation is open for comment and will close on Friday 11 March.

 

For more information, including a 3D fly through of what the new path will be like, please visit yoursaypenrith.com.au/nepeanavenue.

 

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen encouraged Nepean Avenue residents and the wider Penrith community to get involved and have their say on the draft design.

 

“Without formal pedestrian infrastructure on Nepean Avenue and because room on the western side road verge is limited, pedestrians typically walk on the road. This represents a clear safety risk, particularly for vulnerable road users,” Cr Hitchen said.

 

“The creation of new walking and bike riding infrastructure eliminates the need for pedestrians to walk on the road and addresses important road safety issues,” she said.

 

“This project has been a long time coming. Council has listened to previous feedback and investigated many options to ensure our design could meet both resident needs and serve the broader community. So, I urge you to get involved in the consultation process.”

 

Pedestrian activity is significant and growing along the Great River Walk, having increased since the Yandhai Nepean Crossing opening in 2018 and due to recent COVID-19 social distancing requirements.

 

A 2020 Council survey recorded 500 pedestrian movements per hour in peak times on Nepean Avenue, a weekly average of 32,500 and annual use by over 1.5 million. These numbers are projected to increase based on current and future investments in the River Precinct, as one of our most popular recreation destinations.

 

Nepean Avenue shared user path will be at the road level and is designed to start from the existing kerb and gutter to minimise resident impacts. It has kerb separation between the road and the path and delivers an accessible surface for all users.

 

Benefits of the draft design include:
• Addressing vital community safety issues.
• Retaining and enhancing the local river corridor character of the area.
• Having the least impact on Nepean Avenue residents along the western side.
• Having the shortest construction time to minimise disruption for residents and the community.
• Protecting the roots of the established trees.
• Increasing the number of trees on Nepean Avenue which contributes to Council’s Cooling the City initiative and the NSW Government’s priority Greening our City project, by planting trees to improve liveability.
• Representing good value for money in both its construction and ongoing maintenance costs.

 

This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Penrith City Council. Council secured a $1.25M grant under the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Greenspace Program and will be matching the funding.

 

The Metropolitan Greenspace Program supports projects that improve access to quality green open spaces for everyone to enjoy and experience a better quality of life.

 

To provide Council with feedback on the draft design for the Nepean Avenue Shared Path, please email the project team at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.