Proposed median islands with ‘No U-turn’ restrictions on Park Road, Rydalmere

As our cities grow, many high-density or frequently used areas are increasingly impacted by traffic congestion and conflicting vehicle movements as more people are using the space. The City of Parramatta has been listening to the community, noting reports of near misses, and suggestions over the years. As a result, Council has identified several high-priority locations that would benefit from additional traffic management measures to improve road safety, reduce conflict traffic flow and congestion.

• Park Road, located on the south side of Victoria Road in Rydalmere, serves as a frequently used access route for both residents and visitors, particularly for those who shop at the Aldi supermarket situated at the intersection of Victoria Road and Park Road. Due to the current road configuration, all vehicles exiting the Aldi car park must proceed southbound.
• Occasionally, drivers wishing to travel northbound attempt to make illegal U-turns at the Elenora Street intersection despite the presence of double line markings prohibiting such manoeuvres. This behaviour leads to safety concerns and increased congestion for road users and local residents on both Park Road and Elenora Street, as the existing road design is not intended to accommodate U-turns.
• In response to these issues, Council is proposing the installation of median islands at this location, accompanied by prominent ‘No U-turn’ signage, to discourage illegal U-turns and address associated safety risks.

Figure 1: Proposed median islands design

Public exhibition completed

Between 19 August to 16 September 2025, Council sought community feedback regarding plans for installation of a rubber median island and a ‘No U-turn’ restriction in Park Road for southbound traffic at Elonera Street, Rydalmere.

Council received a total of 89 submissions, with the following breakdown:

The results indicate that a majority of respondents (61%) support the proposal, with an additional 19% expressing partial support. Respondents who opposed or partially supported the proposal commonly questioned its effectiveness in addressing traffic issues, with many suggesting that a roundabout would be a more suitable solution for this intersection.

Council previously considered installing a roundabout at this location in 2018. However, the design phase revealed several constraints:

• Road widening would be required to maintain two northbound travel lanes.

• Relocation of a power pole and removal of a tree would be necessary.

• These works would incur significant costs, potentially outweighing the benefits of a roundabout.

An alternative option to shorten the two-lane northbound section of Park Road was also explored but ultimately not supported, as it would lead to longer traffic queues during peak periods.

Next steps

In light of the above, Council will proceed with the proposed works. Installation is expected to occurby March 2026.

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