Residents of Taylor Street Kiama are united in frustration and fear over the level of traffic in their once quiet backstreet, parallel to Manning Street.

Their street is on the main bus route for Kiama Coachlines and Premier Motor Services. Locals have counted more than 70 buses going up this street each week and these buses rarely carry passengers.

During COVID lockdown, when the schools were closed over the eight week term, around 560 empty buses went up Taylor Street without a single passenger. That’s around 20,000 empty seats.

“We want to know why Taylor Street has to be used as a bus route?” says Dave Shaw.

“There are no footpaths for pedestrians along our street, despite the Kiama Development Plan 2020 stating that ‘Footpaths are to be provided on both sides of streets serving as bus routes’.”

The eastern side of Taylor Street has a steep embankment which prevents pedestrians using it, especially if you are older or are pushing a pram.

“With a pram there is nowhere you can duck quickly,” says Clara Cassidy.

“Obviously, there should be footpaths up this street but also the bus drivers should be made to slow down.”

Many of the Taylor Street Residents Group we spoke to complained about the speed of the bus drivers and tradies. The 50km/hr street is used as a ‘rat-run’, they claim, with some vehicles reaching frightening speeds of 80km/hr. This was confirmed by a Council Vehicle Monitoring Study previously installed in the street.

“Manning Street is also 50km but Taylor Street is half as wide,” says Dave.

“Anyway, if you get hit by a car or bus at 50km/hr you are dead.”

Sonia Wilkinson is concerned about the local children.

“Friends and family often comment on how busy our street is and how noisy and fast the buses are.

“Since I moved in a few years ago there are more and more kids in the street.

“I love to see and hear them playing outside and riding their bikes, but it’s a bit scary sometimes when those buses zoom up and down.”

Helen Bateman asks, “Do we have to wait for a really bad accident in the street for something to be done about pedestrian safety and the volume of traffic?”

The situation is critically unsafe and requires immediate attention, the residents say. 

They have written often to Council and the owners of the bus services, presented at a Kiama Precinct meeting and appealed to Gareth Ward, who subsequently wrote to Council’s CEO.

“Our goal is to prevent any potential accidents and to preserve the peace of Taylor St, as soon as we can,” says Monique Golightly.

The residents are calling for buses to be relocated to Manning Street and for smaller commuter buses to be used.

“We aren’t averse to public transport, but it needs to be fit-for-purpose,” says Dave.

“Kiama has changed and its residents need a system that actually serves the community.

“Large buses that are under-utilised are a relic of the past. We need smaller electric ones that can cover areas without the pollution and without the safety issues that we experience in Taylor Street.”

The Taylor Street Residents Group have a Facebook page Taylor St, Kiama, NSW which they invite you to join.