RESIDENTS will be holding a protest at 95-125 Euston Rd in Alexandria from 7am on Wednesday, when WestCONnex contractors plan to start destroying over 70 trees as part of road widening works for the St Peters Interchange.
The destruction is part of work to widen Euston Rd from four lanes to seven, which would see around 70,000 cars and trucks a day passing as little as 180cm from over 90 apartments and townhouses.
“We’ve been insulted, not consulted, every step of the way,” said Euston Rd resident Carmel Delprat.
“There are fatal accidents just waiting to happen if Gladys Berejiklian builds this road just 180cm from people’s front doors and children’s bedrooms. It’s not a matter of if but when.
“Residents have made formal submissions, and we’ve called and written to Ministers and the authorities to ask them to halt these works. But they’ve continued to ignore our valid concerns. And now they’re planning to destroy our trees in their haste to widen this road.
“That’s why we’re holding this protest to call on Premier Berejiklian and the Minister for WestCONnex Stuart Ayres to halt these works, stop this destruction, and meet with us,” said Ms Delprat.
“It’s completely unacceptable for the Berejiklian government to put residents’ health and safety in danger by building a seven-lane highway so close to people’s homes,” said WestCONnex Action Group spokesperson Pauline Lockie.
“And sending over 70,000 cars a day into Alexandria is no solution to traffic congestion. It’s a recipe for traffic gridlock – and WestCONnex will slug western Sydney drivers huge tolls to drive straight into it.
“That’s why we’ll be there to support residents at this protest, and to call on Premier Berejiklian and Minister Ayres to halt these dangerous and unnecessary works,” said Ms Lockie.
NSW Labor Shadow Minister for Roads Jodi McKay, NSW Greens MPs and Lord Mayor Clover Moore have all called for a halt to WestCONnex works on Euston Rd.
What: Euston Rd protest against WestCONnex Euston Rd widening
When: Wednesday 26 April, 7am
Where: Meet at corner Euston Rd and Sydney Park Rd, Alexandria 2015
Media contacts: Carmel Delprat 0404 090 938, Pauline Lockie 0414 470 106
SMC notification to re tree destruction works can be downloaded at: bit.ly/2pZrBUi