VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Parramatta Road Light Rail as envisioned in 2002

Below is a 2002 newspaper article from The Daily Telegraph reporting on a proposal to build a light rail line along Parramatta Road. Twenty-five years later, it is still being explored as an option to revitalise the road corridor, which has struggled to attract business and development. 

The aim was to build the line to take advantage of the construction of the M4 East Expressway (which eventually became WestConnex), which would have removed cars from Parramatta Road.

It didn't mention of any specific stretch of road but forewarned that branch lines could have been included to connect with railway stations on the Inner West line.

Work on the expressway was estimated to have commenced in 2005, but the road itself (WestConnex) did not open until 2019. The M4 East was built as part of the broader project, which also included the construction of the M8 motorway to connect the M4 and the M5. Construction had commenced in 2015, meaning it took an extra decade for it to become a reality. 

Source: Skelsey, M. 2002. "Light is right for clogged Parramatta Rd". The Daily Telegraph, October 30: 6. 

Momentum for light rail has gained traction in recent times. Inner West mayors have expressed their support for a Light Rail Line, and that could lead to the construction of 50,000 homes along the road. Click here to read a 2025 article from The Daily Telegraph (Subscription Required).

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Sydney Light Rail Loop (1987)

Source: Grimshaw, P. 1987. "Plan to put commuters on right track". The Daily Telegraph, July 20: 5. 

In 1987, an independent engineering team unveiled plans for a "Suburban Circle Line", a light rail loop that would have served the inner city, eastern suburbs and inner west. The argument was that the infrastructure was already there or followed former tram corridors e.g. middle of ANZAC Parade. It was claimed that 14% of the route would need to be built from scratch.

This would have encompassed two of the light rail routes that operate today - L1 line (Central Station - Dulwich Hill via Pyrmont and Lilyfield)  and L2 (From Central Station to Randwick),along with the line looping down to La Perouse using the former tram corridor along ANZAC Parade before turning towards Botany and would have included a stop at Sydney Airport. It would then head towards Dulwich Hill. 

It has to be asked - Is it still possible for this vision to become reality? Yes. The L1 and L2 routes already encompass a large share of the route. The former tram corridor along ANZAC Parade is still there - It can be reverted for Tram use. The La Perouse to Dulwich Hill component though isn't clearly shown in the map that featured in the newspaper clipping, though I think they would have considered using the Port Botany-Sydenham Freight Line as part of any route, however considering that the line is used for freight purposes may render that as unfeasible along with the final section from Marrickville to Dulwich Hill. 

Our readers or followers of public transport might have their own ideas or may know more. Feel free to leave a comment or two. 

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Sydney CBD Light Rail Loop (2000)

Above: The proposed Sydney CBD Light Rail Loop. Full Citation Below.

Back in 2000, Bob Carr predicted a major expansion of the Inner West Light Rail Line, which ran at the time from Central Station to Lilyfield. To coincide with the opening of the extension from Glebe to Lilyfield, the NSW government considered an expansion of the light rail network to include a Sydney CBD Loop running up Pitt and Castlereagh Streets from Central Station to Circular Quay. In the inner west, the light rail line would have been extended into Norton Street Leichhardt. Any expansion would wait until the opening of the Cross City Tunnel (proposed to open in 2004 at the time).

 

   

Source: Skelsey, M. 2000. "Back to the future with tram power". The Daily Telegraph, August 14: 15. 

The vision had its merits, especially the concept of a CBD loop which would have opened up for better integration of eastern suburbs services with inner west services, unlike the current network where eastern suburbs and inner west services operate independently of each other with no integration.

1999: Carr Government Drops the Eastern Suburbs Light Rail Plan - A forerunner to trouble's in 2018?

Earlier this month, I shared an article on the 1997 proposal of the Carr Government to construct a light rail link from Central running along Anzac Parade to Kingsford, which formed the foundation for the current scheme.

While organising articles in recent times, I found an article from October 1999 where the plans were axed due to construction costs. Other factors included:

• Concerns over the water table
• The steepness of streets like Foveaux Street.
• Lack of demand by commuters.

Note that as of April 2018, the cost of the Eastern Suburbs and CBD Light Rail expansion has blown out by $1.2 billion.

Is this a forerunner to the cost blowouts that we see in 2018 as construction continues?

Source: Bissett, K. 1999. "Light rail dumped: Link to east too costly". The Daily Telegraph, October 28: 20.

1997: Carr Government explores Eastern Suburbs Light Rail expansion

Source: Bissett, K. 1997. "Light rail goes east". The Daily Telegraph, May 29: 17.

In 1997, the Carr Government announced a feasibility study into a light rail line to serve the Anzac Parade Corridor through to Kingsford.

The objective of the line was to end the dependence on Sydneysiders driving to Moore Park for major events.

One difference to the plans that we see today would involve tracks going down Albion and Foveaux Streets with trams moving in the direction of the vehicular traffic. In effect, it would do a loop through Surry Hills.

Compared with the current line (under construction), this would have seen light rail travel through the northern part of Surry Hills and would not serve the retail strip along Crown Street. Sending it through Devonshire Street will see the line go through the middle of the retail strip.

The downside is that tracks have had to be constructed through Moore Park to allow the line to connect to Anzac Parade, though it will be a tunnel.

At least though, the article shows that the concept of light rail lines in the Eastern Suburbs was actually considered for a number of years, and that Labor was (at the time) open to the idea.

What if the Carr Government had proceeded with the concept?

• The Carr Labor Government would have credit, not the Liberal Governments of Barry O'Farrell, Mike Baird and Gladys Berjillikian.
• Congestion in Fouvaux and Albion Streets.
• Increased congestion at the intersection of Flinders Street, South Dowling Street, and ANZAC Parade. 
• Perhaps, further expansion along Anzac Parade and the line to Randwick may have been a reality regardless. 

MILESTONE: 20 Years of Light Rail in Sydney (1997)

Source: Stuart, S. 1997. "All aboard the city streetcars tomorrow: Trams right on track". The Sunday Telegraph, August 10: 9.

This month is 20 years since the return of trams to Sydney. In August 1997, the first services commenced operation from Central Station through Pyrmont to Wentworth Park at Glebe.
The first services began on August 11 but were limited in frequency until the end of the month.

 

Source: Rogers, J. 1997. "Back on Track: After 36 years, the trams return to Sydney". The Daily Telegraph, August 11, 3. 

However, the grand opening was not until August 31, 1997, with festivities at all stations along the line.

  

Source: Sydney Light Rail. 1997. "Don't miss our 4 kilometre party!" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, August 28: 26 & 27. 

The following day (September 1) saw the commencement of full services.



Source:  Birch, S & Robinson, M. 1997. "One passenger, 8 minutes late". The Daily Telegraph, September 1, 17. 

The return of trams to Sydney was not without its problems. One concern was the speed of the trams as they made their way through Haymarket. They were merely too slow.

Source: Skelsey, K. 1997. "Slow tram coming: Delays force review of 20km/h speed limit". The Daily Telegraph, September 22: 17.

Motorists faced fines blocking trams.

  

Source: Bissett, K. 1997. "Trams bring new road fine hazards". The Daily Telegraph, June 16: 6.

The changes were too much for some...

Source: Porter, B. 1997. Sydney's most confusing corner claims another victim ... and another ... and another. The Daily Telegraph, September 23: 17. 

The line was extended from Wentworth Park to Lilyfield in 2000 with a further extension to Dulwich Hill opening in 2014. Initally, the light rail was privately owned and managed by TNT Transit Link (also operators of the monorail) , before changing ownership to CGEA Australia. In 2012, the State Government purchased the company for $20 million before integrating fares and services into the broader public transport network.

1993: Light Rail & Public consultation

With the light rail extensions now underway in central and eastern Sydney, I thought I'd cast our minds back to 1993 when the public was being invited to comment on what would become stage 1 in our current light rail network which was to operate from Central Railway Station to the Sydney Fish Markets.

Source: Department of Transport (NSW). 1993. "Light Rail Development Application" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, October 13: 14. 

Within six months, tenders had been called for the 3.6km link. Note that they anticipated trams operating down George Street by 2000.  Light rail services commenced in August 1997.

Source: McDougall, B. 1994. "Trams return to city: Plans for inner-suburban service". The Daily Telegraph Mirror,  May 2: 15.