Great River Walk safety improvements

Wednesday, 15 July 2020

Penrith City Council has received an offer of emergency funding from the NSW Government to improve safety along Nepean Avenue by putting temporary traffic and roadside changes in place.

Pedestrian and cyclist traffic on the Great River Walk has increased and temporary measures are needed to support the required physical distancing and keep the increased number of people on the shared pathway safe.

Penrith Mayor, Ross Fowler OAM said the Great River Walk was one of the city’s most loved open spaces and the safety of those using the shared pathway was paramount.

“It has been wonderful to see so many people taking advantage of the Great River Walk over recent months,” Cr Fowler said. “I’d like to thank the NSW Government for working with us to help our residents exercise safely and within current public health guidelines.”

Council is consulting with Nepean Avenue residents on the proposed short-term solutions which include temporary flexible traffic barriers, a designated two-way pedestrian lane, speed cushions and reduced speed limits.

In addition, cyclists will be directed to use the roadway to ensure their safety, ‘speed cushions’ will be installed and the speed limit on Nepean Avenue will be reduced to 40km/hr for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Council will continue its consultation with residents and users of the Great River Walk in an endeavour to develop a permanent solution to enhance the safety for both users and residents. 

This information will be used to inform a review of the program where a longer-term solution for this popular feature of our City may be considered, Council will also be seeking broader community feedback as part of this review.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 15 July 2020.