The detailed design for the new pedestrian pathway on Nepean Avenue has been finalised, paving the way for construction to start in early September.

There have been minor design updates to the types of bollards and lighting fixtures and the proposed pedestrian crossing at the entrance of Nepean Avenue will be replaced with a raised threshold treatment.

These design refinements will contribute to the improved functionality of the pathway, and project overall, without compromising on safety.

Bollards

Several risks were identified with the lighting bollards proposed in the concept design. These included:

• The need to install several electrical boxes which would impact aesthetics and require additional cabling, increasing the risk to tree roots.
  
• A potential safety risk to the public if a bollard was severed and exposed live cabling.
• The complexity and cost of replacing bollards.

Changes

The lighting bollards have been replaced by high quality bollards designed to create a physical and visual separation between the pathway and the road.

The bollards will be frangible to 60 degrees. This flexibility will ensure they are a physical deterrent to cars encroaching on the pathway, while limiting damage.

Lighting

Due to the identified risks with the lighting bollards, we will now install in-ground LED lights adjacent to the trees along the pathway. The in-ground lights will be subtle yet durable, creating a visual separation between the road and the path with low light spill to minimise impacts.

Pedestrian Crossing

The concept design included a pedestrian crossing at the entrance to Nepean Avenue. However, during the detailed design phase it was determined that trees would need to be removed and additional lighting would be required to deliver this infrastructure.

Changes

The pedestrian crossing will be replaced with a raised threshold treatment on Memorial Avenue. This threshold will provide motorists with a visual and tactile cue that they are entering a high pedestrian area and will contribute to the improved safety of pedestrians.

With the detailed design now finalised, construction will begin shortly. The construction will be delivered in stages to minimise impacts for residents and regular users of Nepean Avenue.

This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Penrith City Council. Council secured $1.25 million through the Metropolitan Greenspace Program and Council will match this funding. A further contribution is allocated from Council’s District Open Space Contributions Plan.