Analysis by Council indicates that over the past 4 years Thirroul experienced a population increase of just over 200 people, with the northern statistical boundary, which incorporates the northern coastal suburbs up to Stanwell Park, experienced an increase of only 28 people in that period.

Therefore the level of population increase is significantly below population increases within other areas of the Wollongong LGA, and those of higher congestion in other LGA's such as Northern Beaches Council and Mosman Council. The population increases have been marginal at best, and the increase in traffic congestion is not a result of this increase. RMS investigations indicated that during weekday periods, Lawrence Hargrave Drive has further capacity, this was noted at the Council meeting and is not the major concern - that being weekend and holiday period traffic.

Lawrence Hargrave Drive's traffic congestion issues are therefore primarily caused by tourist and visitor traffic. The northern suburbs coastline and bushlands attract significant numbers of visitors to our region. Combine this with the Sea Cliff Bridge, that features in numerous car advertisements and its engineering feat, that simply further attracts visitors to use the Grand Pacific Drive and ultimately Lawrence Hargrave Drive. Lawrence Hargrave Drive was originally a track from the "horse and cart" days in a geographically constrained setting wedged between the escarpment and the ocean. The traffic congestion issue on Lawrence Hargrave Drive is not a simple issue to solve, with road improvements practically impossible unless millions upon millions of dollars are thrown at it. But the fact remains that Council will continue to lobby the state government, departments and local members, to try and find a solution or at least acknowledge the issue and begin to address community concerns for their road.

Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery AM, Wollongong City Council

Your paper has recently ran items about traffic congestion in Wollongong's northern suburbs and the problem of overcoming it due to confinement of the area and cost associated with property purchase.

Really, there is a simple answer, let's install more Sea Cliff bridges.

These could run from the south of Scarborough school, across the cemetery to the north end of Coledale beach.

Recommence north of headlands through to the west end of Sandon Point then Waniora point to Ocean Park adjoining Campbell street which links to Memorial drive.

Impossible? I don't think so.

Cost effective? Probably more so then trying to widen the existing length of Lawrence Hargrave Drive complete with property purchase.

Maybe the RMS could have their engineers consider this alternative.

Imagine what these extra bridges would do for tourism and the many jobs which would be created as a result.

Ross Taylor, Thirroul