Park Road safety win at Woodford

The bridge has no separate footpath, so anyone going from the highway to Railway Parade has had to run the gauntlet of cars, trucks and buses using the bridge to get on to the highway.

But lobbying from residents groups, local councillors and the local MP have finally proved successful and a raised, separate pedestrian footpath will be built.

The upgrade will be jointly conducted by Railcorp/Sydney Trains, which owns the bridge, and Roads and Maritime Services.

Clr Romola Hollywood said she first called on council to investigate options for pedestrian access in February last year.

"I was shocked that the upgrade of this bridge, which is over 100 years old, hadn't been factored into the Woodford to Hazelbrook upgrade.

"When the bridge was designed, it was in the era of horse and carts. We now have buses and trucks using this bridge at the same time as pedestrians, including school children," she said.

Fellow Ward Two councillor, Clr Chris Van der Kley, said: "You don't realise it's such a busy intersection. That's why we want to get it fixed up."

Both were delighted to learn the RMS had come up with a design for the raised footpath.

Clr Van der Kley said it could be completed in 48 hours and the idea was to do the work in one weekend when trackwork was scheduled, to minimise disruption.

Sydney Trains planned to include the work in its 2015-16 budget but they were hoping it could be brought forward to this financial year.

Both councillors praised the local member, Roza Sage, for her lobbying work. Mrs Sage, in turn, thanked the residents.

"The Hazelbrook Association and Woodford Association have been tireless advocates for their communities," she said.

"Important modifications including pedestrian lights and a pedestrian pathway on Park Road Bridge will be realised largely due to open discussions between the community, Roads and Maritime Services, Blue Mountains City Council and me.'