The advantages of locating the shared path on the southern side include:

• the reduced impact on utilities
• no impacts on known endangered ecological communities
• high level of passive surveillance of the path given proximity to Sulwood Drive
• connectivity to residential areas
• provides for recreational cyclists of all levels.

The following disadvantages were identified to build the shared path on the northern side:

• potential impacts on endangered ecological species
• if constructed along the clear zone, a pinch point would be created with the carpark where the shared path would need to be constructed across Sulwood Drive or alternatively at the back of the carpark therefore impacting sensitive ecological communities
• potential impacts on high-voltage cables
• there would be numerous conflict points between path users and Sulwood Drive in creating links to the existing residential path network on the southern side.

The objective of this project was to provide safe crossing opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists. Signalising of intersections is considered the safest treatment to move cyclists and pedestrians over roads. Signals direct the movement of traffic across the intersection, minimising the risk of conflict. It is hoped that in providing this signalised crossing opportunity, the local community will choose this safe method of crossing Sulwood Drive.

With that said, safety barriers will only be constructed where sections of the shared path are unable to be constructed outside of the requisite 'clear zone' between roads and off-road infrastructure.

The objective of this project was to provide safe crossing opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists.

Signalising of intersections is considered the safest treatment to move cyclists and pedestrians over roads. Signals direct the movement of traffic across the intersection, minimising the risk of conflict.

A roundabout is not a suitable treatment for this intersection for the following reasons:

• It is safer to introduce a signalised intersection with a shared path on a road network with an existing 80km/h speed limit.
• Roundabouts require a minimum 30 metre footprint on an 80km/h road. At the Mannheim Street intersection, space was identified as a major constraint in fitting the roundabout.
• Due to the space constraints, were a roundabout to be built it would see the removal of the existing earth mound and encroachment into the car park reducing accessibility.
• The installation of traffic lights future proofs the intersection/road network in the event of increased traffic volumes expected around 2041.

The intersection performance with traffic lights was tested for both AM and PM peaks and weekend traffic. It found:

• AM peak: good operation with acceptable delays and capacity in the network.
• PM peak: operating near capacity.
• Weekends: good operation with acceptable delays and capacity in the network.

It should be noted that when it comes to traffic flow, roundabouts have an in-built priority rule, which means that in heavy traffic, movements in one direction can tend to dominate and cause excessive delays to vehicle movements in other directions.

There will be some tree removal required to enable construction of the path. The number and location of trees to be removed will be determined as the design is finalised. We will be minimising the loss of trees wherever possible. All trees removed will be replaced and the project has committed to planting additional trees along the shared path alignment.

Designs have been finalised for a future extension to the existing carpark. This will be subject to future investment opportunities.

As part of the design work for the proposed duplication of Athllon Drive, we are looking at improvements at the intersection of Sulwood Drive and Athllon Drive including safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. These designs include a proposed new underpass beneath Sulwood Drive which would link in with these improvements to Sulwood Drive.

The future duplication of Sulwood Drive has been identified in the long-term planning pipeline (20+ years) as traffic modelling data shows that that the traffic volumes expected in 2041 does not necessitate duplication before this time. This has favoured the construction of the off-road shared path on the southern side of Sulwood Drive as it minimises the need for it to be modified if a future duplication is constructed.