transport · Inner West Council
Norton Street chicane approved after residents report cars crossing centreline
The treatment will be installed between Hugh Street and Miller Avenue in Ashfield, while a landscaped northern kerb blister is being considered for 2027-28 funding.
Drivers turning from Norton Street into Miller Avenue in Ashfield will face a painted chicane after the Inner West Council Local Transport Forum approved the treatment on 17 August 2026. The proposal followed residents’ concerns about cars crossing the centreline at the turn.
The Forum also approved in principle a landscaped kerb blister on Norton Street’s northern kerb, broadly following the outline of the temporary painted island. That work is to be considered for Council’s Traffic Facilities Capital Works Program for the 2027-28 financial year.
Council said the design is intended to improve turning movements and discourage vehicles from cutting across the corner. Detailed design is planned for the latter half of this financial year, alongside an assessment of how well the treatment works.
Transit Systems representative Julius Villanueva raised concerns about buses negotiating an existing median or refuge treatment in the area. The Forum’s transport discussion identified possible impacts on bus movements, including school services, and further concerns can be referred to Council officers.
The painted chicane is the approved treatment for Norton Street between Hugh Street and Miller Avenue. The landscaped kerb blister remains subject to future funding consideration, so the longer-term physical treatment is not yet approved for construction.
The changes will alter vehicle movements through the Norton Street and Miller Avenue intersection and affect the road space available there. The proposal was developed to control turning movements without excessive road narrowing, while bus access remains an issue for further consideration.
The Forum included representatives from Transport for NSW, Transit Systems and the Inner West Bicycle Coalition, as well as council officers and Councillor Liz Atkins. Transport for NSW representative Varun Nayyar and Transit Systems representative Julius Villanueva were among those present.
The approved painted treatment is the immediate change for drivers using the corridor. A future landscaped kerb blister will depend on detailed design and inclusion in the 2027-28 capital works program.
Reference minutes
Source: Inner West Council Local Transport Forum, 17 August 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- A painted chicane was approved on Norton Street between Hugh Street and Miller Avenue, Ashfield.
- A landscaped kerb blister on Norton Street’s northern kerb was approved in principle.
- The landscaped treatment is to be considered for funding in the 2027-28 Traffic Facilities Capital Works Program.
- The proposal followed resident concerns about vehicles crossing the centreline when turning into Miller Avenue.
- Transit Systems raised concerns about buses negotiating an existing median or refuge treatment.
- The forum’s decision was made on 17 August 2026.
Why it matters
- The painted chicane is intended to stop vehicles cutting across the Norton Street corner, while the design and any future landscaped treatment must account for bus movements and available road space.