Sydney light rail expected to cause confusion for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists

The new $2.7billion Sydney light rail is expected to bring about commuter chaos as people get used to the changes.

Pedestrians, motorists and cyclists will all be impacted by new road rules, which will be implemented by December. 

To clear up any confusion on how to share the road with a tram, Sydney Light Rail has also taken to Facebook to update drivers on a few safety tips.

But the rules – as well as the government’s decision to reintroduce a tram at all – are causing a stir among commuters who say ‘its just a matter of time until someone is killed’. 

‘This will be a big disaster. People will die as they don’t pay attention and are in world of their own.

‘Government officials will be kicking themselves over preventable accidents.’

Drivers are reminded to not queue across the rail lines that pass through intersections and to follow the appropriate signage.

They should also never travel along the tracks in the middle of the road and to stick to the designated lanes on the outside of the tram line.

New footage shared online shows drivers almost choking up an intersection of the tram line in Sydney.

The truck was forced to reverse back into the side street to avoid being caught stopped across the tram line.

Cyclists have been warned to keep an eye out for new ‘no entry’ signs at frequently travelled routes.

New restrictions have been put in place at Hay Street, and ignoring the warnings could cost cyclists $114 in fines.

Cyclists are also forbidden from entering tramways and those caught doing so will face a $268 fine. 

Pedestrians should note they will not be fined for jaywalking if they cross the street at a tramline – as long as they’re more than 20 metres away from a set of lights.

They are also required to look up and stay vigilant as they cross.

Motorists can also incur fines for not following new rules.  

They will be fined $268 and single demerit point for entering and driving across a tramway. 

One person suggested painting bright lines to indicate where motorists can no longer drive.

‘Maybe paint yellow lines on the edge of track like we have in Melbourne so cars know the distance between trams and roadway,’ the man said.

One intersection in particular is confusing motorists already.

New footage shared online shows drivers almost choking up an intersection of the tram line in Sydney

Scores of people have taken to Facebook to say they have been unable to make turns at a number of busy road junctures on High Street, in Randwick, Sydney’s east.

‘How do vehicles travelling east on High St enter UNSW near corner of Wansea Rd?’ one driver commented.

Another one said: ‘Is there a good reason for why you can no longer turn right from High Street to Avoca Street?

 ‘Right now you end up queueing behind vehicles turning left into Belmore road (waiting for pedestrians) but the right turn was always both safe and quick. I don’t understand why this is now a no right turn.’

The NSW government recently released footage showing a number of near misses between trams and pedestrians during a test run of the tram line.

In one instance, a cyclist ignores the warning signs from a public transport worker to stop and crosses the tracks as a tram approaches only metres away.

More footage shows a car drive over the tracks, forcing an oncoming tram to stop to avoid a collision.

The first leg of the Sydney Light Rail is expected to open in December this year, though will only carry passengers between Randwick to Circular Quay.

The branch line to Kingsford along Anzac Parade is a long way from completion – early agency reports have hinted work could continue until March of 2020.