By David Jones | Public Affairs and Policy Manager, Business Sydney | Mob: 0448 285 996
Business Sydney today called for the axing of plans to build a multi-million dollar bicycle ramp onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge at Milsons Point.
The local community group opposing the project estimates that the ramp would cost at least $100 million and all at the time of an acute cost of living crisis.
Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said the plan was developed by Transport for NSW under the previous government.
“The ramp was a nice-to-have had it been overwhelmingly supported by local residents and businesses but it is hard to justify at the height of an acute cost of living crisis,” Mr Nicolaou said.
“There are other priorities for government funds at a time when people in our city are homeless and living in cars and in parks because they can’t afford a roof over their head.
“The money planned for this expensive bike ramp could be better spent on emergency housing.
“We are talking about a bike ramp for fit and well bike riders who could easily continue to wheel their bikes up a stairway to the bridge deck, which they have been doing for decades.”
Mr Nicolaou said there was already a local dispute over the design of the proposed bike ramp.
Residents opposed the linear design that would take the bike ramp above the western face of Milsons Point historic railway station entrance.
The residents instead favoured a circular design that would not affect the station entrance and would be cheaper to build.
“Given current funding priorities, it is hard to justify either of these ramp designs,” Mr Nicolaou said. “The best idea would be to scrap the project and concentrate on other priorities.”