Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has warned that a proposed road project in Middleton Grange could funnel thousands of vehicles through residential streets each day, potentially turning the quiet suburb into a major traffic shortcut.
According to council traffic modelling, the proposed Middleton Drive extension could result in around 6,000 vehicle movements a day through the area.
Mannoun said the projected traffic volume was far beyond what could reasonably be considered local traffic and warned that the project could effectively create a “rat run” through residential neighbourhoods.
Concerns Over Traffic Diverted From Major Roads
The mayor said one of the biggest concerns was that the extension could become an alternative route for motorists trying to avoid congestion on major state-controlled roads.
Traffic from busy corridors such as Cowpasture Road and Fifteenth Avenue could potentially be redirected through Middleton Grange and surrounding residential streets.
Mannoun argued that local communities should not be forced to carry the consequences of delays in broader road infrastructure investment.
He said population growth across Liverpool had placed increasing pressure on the transport network and that state-level infrastructure upgrades had not always kept pace.
Residents Chose Area for Quiet Lifestyle
The mayor said people living in Middleton Grange, Cecil Hills and Elizabeth Hills had chosen those suburbs partly because of their relatively quiet and family-friendly environments.
He argued that residents had not signed up to have their neighbourhoods transformed into major through-traffic corridors.
According to Mannoun, directing thousands of additional vehicles past local homes could create problems for road safety, noise, congestion and overall quality of life.
He said it would be unfair for local families to bear the impact of shortcomings in larger state road networks.
Council Has Already Completed Detailed Design Work
Liverpool City Council has already completed detailed design work for the M7 underpass and Middleton Drive extension.
The planning process has included engineering assessments, environmental considerations and consultation with relevant stakeholders.
However, the scope and expected cost of the project have reportedly increased significantly since it was first considered.
That has prompted council officials to reassess whether the project should proceed in its current form.
Project Now Under Review
Mannoun said the council was actively considering whether the road extension should move forward as currently designed.
While significant technical work has already been completed, he said that would not automatically mean the project should go ahead.
The mayor stressed that the council would not ignore potential negative impacts on residents simply because planning and design had progressed.
He said community safety, neighbourhood amenity and quality of life had to remain central to any final decision.
Mayor Calls on State MPs to Act
Mannoun also urged local state MPs to support residents and push the NSW government for a rethink of the project.
He said local representatives should advocate for proper funding of major transport infrastructure rather than allowing pressure from state roads to spill into residential areas.
The mayor argued that investment in larger road corridors was essential if Liverpool’s fast-growing population was to be accommodated without undermining established communities.
Infrastructure Must Support, Not Burden, Communities
Liverpool City Council says it remains committed to delivering infrastructure needed for one of Sydney’s fastest-growing areas.
However, Mannoun said growth-related infrastructure should improve life for residents rather than create new problems.
He argued that development must be carefully planned so that local roads remain safe and appropriate for the communities they serve.
The council’s review of the Middleton Drive extension is expected to consider whether the project can be redesigned or whether broader state road upgrades are needed first.
For residents of Middleton Grange and nearby suburbs, the central concern is whether a project intended to improve connectivity could instead bring thousands of extra vehicles into streets that were never designed to function as major traffic corridors.
