RESIDENTS of 95-125 Euston Road in Alexandria will hold a snap rally at 12pm today to call on Premier Gladys Berejiklian to halt plans to bring a seven-lane highway within 2m of their homes as part of works for the WestCONnex St Peters Interchange.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Greens MP Dr Mehreen Faruqi will address the rally from 12:30pm. City of Sydney councilors Jess Scully and Jess Miller will also be attending to meet with residents.
Residents were informed on Friday that WestCONnex contractors plan to destroy the trees in front of 95-125 Euston Road next week, with work due to commence on Wednesday 26 April.
“Once again, the Sydney Motorway Corporation has shown its contempt for residents by announcing it will destroy these trees while its WestCONnex New M5 urban design plans are still open for public consultation,” said WestCONnex Action Group spokesperson Rhea Liebmann.
“It is completely unacceptable for the Berejiklian government to do this, and to put residents’ health and safety in danger by bringing a seven-lane highway so close to people’s homes,” said Ms Liebmann.
“Staff from WestCONnex and Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) have told us their plans to widen Euston Rd will bring over 60,000 cars a day less than 2m from our front doors,” said Euston Rd resident Carmel Delprat, one of the rally’s organisers.
“They also told us the noise and pollution will be so bad we won’t be able to open our windows.
“But what really worries me is the risk of accidents. There are children here whose homes will now open almost directly onto the road. There are cyclists. There are pedestrians.
“With no plans to install barriers or other safety measures, there is nothing to prevent a very serious accident if a young child wanders out of their home, someone slips and falls, or a driver loses control.
“That’s why we’re calling on the Premier to step in and halt these works,” said Ms Delprat.
What: Alexandria residents’ protest against WestCONnex Euston Rd widening
Where: Cnr Euston Road and Sydney Park Road, Alexandria 2015
When: Saturday 22 April, 12pm to 1:30pm (Speakers from 12:30pm)
Speakers: Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MP
Media contacts: Carmel Delprat 0404 090 938, Rhea Liebmann 0410 517 343
Below: Letter sent to Euston Road residents by Sydney Motorway Corporation, Friday 21 April 2017
