11 June 2025

Finally, Council has acted on correspondence from HRG and acknowledged the mistake and changed the 4T signage back to 3T!

 

27 May 2025

Here is a sample of the Council’s response to an Abbotsford Road resident:

Hi HRG,

I thought it was easier to send you my email trail. A reply… but no response since Karen Pensabene.
Please feel free to use any of this – including the abysmal lack of response and failure of Council to keep residents informed. No reason why it is now 4t limit for trucks and still no visible signage to traffic, only pedestrians!
Cheers
XXX
March 6, 2025:

Dear Mayor Baladi

I have not been contacted at all after my enquiry on December 7, now 3 months ago.
There are still no 3 ton limit signs visible on Abbotsford Rd. I have noticed a new sign has replaced the solitary 3t exclusion sign, however it is further up the same utility pole and faces east … so pedestrians on the eastern side of Homebush Rd may see but it is not readily visible to traffic – especially trucks turning left into Abbotsford Rd. There is still no signage at the library round-a-bout for trucks leaving Homebush shops on Rochester St. Other Councils, such as in Burwood and Kingsgrove have clearly visible signs facing the on-coming traffic so the sign is visible before making the forbidden turn – not parallel to the direction of traffic flow. Why is it different in Strathfield?
Contact and an explanation would be appreciated.
Thanking you
XXX XXX
December 2024:
Hi XXX, 
Thank you for writing to me about this issue. 
I will be requesting some additional information from staff, who may be able to better highlight some reasons for the current situation. 
I will ask them to be in touch with you directly. 
Regards, 
signatureImage.jpeg

Cr John-Paul Baladi  – Mayor of Strathfield
P +612 9748 9930 M +61 478 054 241
65 Homebush Rd, Strathfield NSW 2135
www.strathfield.nsw.gov.au
December 2024:

Dear Mayor Baladi

More than three years ago I complained about the increase in traffic through Abbotsford Rd following Burlington Rd being made ‘One Way’. Abbotsford Rd, a heritage precinct, became the escape thoroughfare for Burlington Rd. (See previous emails below). A significant noise problem exists from cars accelerating rapidly from the Rochester//Abbotsford Rd round-a-bout. There is only one 3t truck limit sign at the corner of Homebush Rd and Abbotsford Rd -facing north and not visible to trucks entering Abbotsford Rd when travelling in that direction. There is no other truck limit signage along the entire length of Abbotsford Rd!  Is the solitary sign for trucks greater than 3t for GVM?. There has been no answer on how the initial traffic count in Abbotsford Rd was apparently made to show that there was, or was not, a significant change. There has been no police presence in Abbotsford Rd as far as I am aware. I had no feedback on the July 2021 traffic meeting. Traffic still blocks the right turn exit to Homebush Rd from Abbotsford Rd in peak hours. ‘Keep Clear’ signage was put in place, but commonly ignored and has now faded and is not noticeable. I would very much appreciate answers and solutions. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours truly
XXX XXX
XX Abbotsford Rd
On 20 Jun 2021, at 8:53 am, XXX XX <XXX> wrote:

Thanks again Karen. I don’t remember the traffic counters on the road being in place before the recent ones – it would be interesting to know when the baseline for comparison of the amount of traffic was done before the one way change to Burlington Rd was made.

I can’t see how, if the traffic is made to go in one direction only, that there would not be more traffic in all surrounding streets for those vehicles to exit. To say there is no increase in traffic does not make sense and makes me suspect (excuse my skepticism) that no prior traffic count was actually done.
I have had no reply from the traffic department in response to my initial email where a number of questions have to date, been ignored. Ie will the traffic data be released; is the speed of the traffic registered.
Policing heavy vehicles is welcomed, however, it is infrequent but more than in the past. Speed seems to be the main issue. I presume the option of decreasing the speed limit to 40Kph was not addressed??
Thanks again for your help
Warm regards
XXX
December 2023:

Dear Karen

As a follow-up from my email in 2021, there appear to have been no action on traffic in Abbotsford Rd. There has been no police presence, to my knowledge, While there is a 3 tonne limit, it is not adhere to …mainly because there is no visible signage. Truck and bus drivers are unaware of the street limit. There is only one – almost invisible – sign stating such. For traffic travelling south on Homebush Rd there is a sign is visible, however, traffic travelling in this direction rarely turns right into Abbotsford Rd …and the “Keep Clear” signage has faded away so it is once again difficult to exit from Abbotsford Rd to Homebush Rd in peak hour. No signs exist at the library round-a-bout on Rochester St, or for traffic travelling north on Homebush Rd indicating the 3T limit. Increased traffic noise in Abbotsford Rd is in part from trucks and construction vehicles using Abbotsford Rd as the shortest route from Rochester St to Homebush Rd and vice-versa.
I would appreciate it if you could raise this issue with the appropriate traffic department of Council. I cannot believe there has been no increase in traffic in Abbotsford Rd since Burlington Rd was made one way, as stated previously. What is the evidence confirming this? We have to accept higher density housing in the area as the State Government’s overall policy to cram more people into the Inner West – all in the name of “progress”, but residential streets should be spared from unnecessary traffic noise where appropriate.
Thank you for your attention to my concerns. I trust you will have a safe and rewarding 2024.
Warmest regards
XXX XXX
XX Abbotsford Rd, Homebush.
On 20 Jun 2021, at 8:53 am, XXX XXX wrote:

Thanks again Karen. I don’t remember the traffic counters on the road being in place before the recent ones – it would be interesting to know when the baseline for comparison of the amount of traffic was done before the one way change to Burlington Rd was made.

I can’t see how, if the traffic is made to go in one direction only, that there would not be more traffic in all surrounding streets for those vehicles to exit. To say there is no increase in traffic does not make sense and makes me suspect (excuse my skepticism) that no prior traffic count was actually done.
I have had no reply from the traffic department in response to my initial email where a number of questions have to date, been ignored. Ie will the traffic data be released; is the speed of the traffic registered.
Policing heavy vehicles is welcomed, however, it is infrequent but more than in the past. Speed seems to be the main issue. I presume the option of decreasing the speed limit to 40Kph was not addressed??
Thanks again for your help
Warm regards
XXX
Begin forwarded message:
From: Karen Pensabene <cr.pensabene@strathfield.nsw.gov.au>
Subject: RE: Traffic – Abbotsford Rd
Date: 19 June 2021 at 10:19:13 pm AEST
To: XXX XXX <XXXX>
Dear XXXX
Just an update on today’s traffic committee meeting.
The Council have done traffic counts and stated that it doesn’t seen to be an increase in traffic. We have asked them to review, as I don’t know if the times they tested were appropriate. 
The Police are going have more cars in  Abbotsford Road. Your street has a 3 ton limit on all trucks and it seems this is not being adhered to.
Our Director will have a report at July meeting on the roundabout proposal you spoke to me about.
I will stay in touch, and if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate in contacting me.
Kind regards 
Cr Karen Pensabene 
Deputy Mayor 
Strathfield Council 
——– Original message ——–
From: XXX XXX
Date: 3/6/21 9:30 pm (GMT+10:00)
Subject: Re: Traffic – Abbotsford Rd

Thanks for the follow up Karen

Cheers
XXX
On 3 Jun 2021, at 9:00 am, Karen Pensabene <cr.pensabene@strathfield.nsw.gov.au> wrote:
Dear XXX
A real pleasure to meet you on Saturday. 
I have discussed your issues with the planning director. I have on your behalf, made a submission to the traffic committee meeting this month. 
I will then be able to update you on what the recommendations will be for Abbotsford Rd.
Kind regards
Cr Karen Pensabene 
Deputy Mayor 
Strathfield Council 
——– Original message ——–
From: XXX XXX 
Date: 29/5/21 12:44 pm (GMT+10:00)
Subject: Fwd: Traffic – Abbotsford Rd

Dear Karen

It was a delight to meet you today.
I sent the email below to Strathfield Council regarding speeding and a dramatic increase in traffic flow on Abbotsford Rd. The automated response indicated I should get a response within 10 working days – which didn’t happen so it was rather fortuitous that you called today.
We would very much appreciate any assistance you are able to via Council to reduce traffic flow and speeding on Abbotsford Rd since Burlington Rd was made one way. My only concern with making Burlington Rd one way to the east from Rochester St is that residents of Burlington Rd will still travel down Abbotsford Rd to Rochester to travel back east home on Burlington Rd. Hence my suggestion in the email below to make Abbotsford Rd a cul-de-sac so there is no through traffic. However, changing the one way direction will reduce the 6am exodus to some extent – the western section of Burlington will continue to use Abbotsford Rd as their exit from Homebush towards Strathfield, just not the eastern section.
Warm regards
XXX and XXX XXX
XX Abbotsford Rd

Homebush

Begin forwarded message:
From: XXX XXX 
Subject: Traffic – Abbotsford Rd
Date: 12 May 2021 at 4:33:13 pm AEST

Dear Sir/Madam

We are writing this email as a follow up to a phone call I made approximately two weeks ago.
Since the Homebush Village upgrade commenced (with Burlington Rd now one way), that change has resulted in Abbotsford Rd becoming the exit for traffic wanting to head east from the medium density dwellings in Burlington Rd through a low density, substantially heritage listed housing precinct. Sadly this makes a mockery of Council’s efforts to keep Abbotsford Rd valued for its heritage appeal.
The increase in the volume of traffic has been excessive with volume, noise and speeding all dramatically increased. We are pleased to see that rubber strips have been placed on Abbotsford Rd to monitor the volume of traffic. Does Council have data to show the traffic flow in Abbotsford Rd prior to the change in Burlington Rd so an accurate estimate of the change in traffic volume can be assessed? I understand the rubber strips can clock volume, speed and time. Will the data collected be made available to residents?
To reduce speeding (and therefore noise) mobile speed cameras need to be frequently deployed. Increased traffic now commences in Abbotsford Rd from around 5:30am and at weekends, particulatly Saturday nights, does not appreciably quieten down until 2:30am! This is no longer the quiet street with heritage appeal (and associated restrictions) we moved into 20 years ago. As traffic travelling east on Abbotsford Rd is moving uphill, there is greater acceleration and noise than the traffic travelling westward and downhill. I believe vehicles reach their maximum speed  around the mid section of the block as they need to slow down for the next respective intersections. I believe the speed measured by the rubber strips will underestimate the current speed at which many vehicles are travelling as they are deployed towards the ends of the block.
To regain the previous ambience of Abbotsford Rd:
As a minimum, a 40km/hr speed limit needs to replace the current 50km/hr speed limit. The preferred change would be to make the western end of the section of Abbotsford Rd between Homebush Rd and Rochester St a cul-de-sac so no through traffic uses it as a short cut. Closure of Abbotsford Rd at the Homebush Rd end would simply result in traffic diverting via Melrose St to Broughton Rd. A precedent for a similar road closure was made many years ago when Churchill Ave was no longer a cross street over Raw Square. Chicaines / no passing sections were place in Phillip St to stop a thoroughfare from Parramatta Rd and the eastern end of Beresford Rd has been closed off from Broughton Rd.
Making Abbotsford Rd one way, the same direction as Burlington Rd would reduce traffic flow but only in one direction. Traffic heading west on Burlington from Homebush Rd is now very slow due to the 90 degree angle parking. I expect through traffic avoids this section of Burlington now and uses Abbotsford Rd instead. The signage does not specify rear-to-curb parking. Motorists who park front-to-curb reverse out blind into oncoming traffic and this has made travelling along this section of Burlington Rd hazardous!
Putting ‘Keep Clear’ signage on Homebush Rd at the intersection with Abbotsford would make exiting Abbotsford somewhat easier, especially during peak hours when it becomes completely choked up due to school crossings on Homebush Rd banking back past the Beresford Rd roundabout (now defunct) and also back past Melrose St on Broughton Rd. However, this signage is often ignored and it does nothing to alleviate the through traffic on Abbotsford Rd. 
Thank you for your time and consideration of our concerns.
Yours faithfully
XXX and XXX XXX
XX Abbotsford Rd
Homebush 2140