Mayor considers plan to close off Sydney CBD for cars

Mayor considers plan to close off Sydney CBD for cars.

The Sydney CBD could become a haven for pedestrians and cyclists in the future, according to a draft 'memorandum of understanding' between Lord Mayor Clover Moore and NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, obtained by the ABC.

Reviving Ms Moore's long-held goal of making Sydney more pedestrian-friendly, the plan calls for cars to be blocked from stretches of George Street, although buses and taxis would be allowed access. Traffic at Liverpool and King Streets would be redirected to Kent and Castlereagh Streets.

New 40km/h speed zones would be established across the CBD, with special 10km/h areas to be shared by pedestrians and cars and giving pedestrians right-of-way.

The plans, drawn up with the help of Danish urban designer Professor Jan Gehl (instrumental in pedestrian-friendly changes to Melbourne's CBD), have drawn the ire of NRMA President Wendy Machin.

Ms Machin said that redirecting traffic would only serve to redistribute congestion rather than reduce it.

Speaking with the ABC, transport expert Dr Michelle Zeibots at the University of Technology Sydney, said that traffic will eventually settle as motorists respond to the changes by choosing not to drive.

motoring.ninemsn.com.au 14 May 2010

Melborune is following in the same direction,
BUT it is NOT talked about,as the government is doing this covertly,
and making it more diffucult for people to use cars onthe roads.