LOCAL LIFE

by Julie Ryan

Commute times along Windsor Road is worsening rapidly and it’ s not just a Hills problem. Hawkesbury residents are increasingly bearing the brunt, with daily travel to work, shopping and essential services turning into a frustrating grind. New data from a recent study by The Hills Shire Council shows morning peak travel along Windsor Road and Old Windsor Road has blown out by up to nine minutes in just 12 months, with average speeds dropping to just 21.8km / h a 10 per cent decline.

While the study focused on travel between The Gables and Norwest Business Park, the reality is that Windsor Road is a critical artery for Hawkesbury locals heading into The Hills, Blacktown and beyond. For many, there is simply no

alternative route.

Residents travelling from suburbs such as McGraths Hill, South Windsor and Bligh Park are now factoring in significantly longer travel times just to reach key employment hubs, major shopping centres and medical services in areas like Rouse Hill and Norwest.

The flow-on effect is being felt well beyond peak-hour frustration.

Longer commutes are cutting into family time, increasing fuel costs and adding pressure to already stretched household budgets. For shift workers, tradies and small business owners, the unpredictability of travel times is becoming a serious issue.

The Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne said the findings reflect what commuters are experiencing daily worsening congestion and mounting

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frustration driven largely by rapid population growth and infrastructure lag. That growth is not isolated to The Hills. The north-west corridor, including areas bordering the Hawkesbury, continues to expand, placing further strain on an already overburdened road network.

For Hawkesbury residents, the situation is compounded by limited public transport options. Many are forced to rely on Windsor Road to access Metro stations at Rouse Hill or employment hubs further south, adding even more vehicles to an already congested corridor.

Local business owner Ankit Shah, who travels the route daily, said commute times have become increasingly unpredictable.

“ I now leave before 6:30am just to avoid what can quickly turn into an hourlong trip,” he said.

His experience mirrors that of many Hawkesbury commuters who have little choice but to travel the same route each day.

Despite a $ 220 million federal funding commitment to upgrade the corridor, no clear construction timeline has been announced, leaving residents stuck in limbo as conditions continue to deteriorate.

With more housing developments, major infrastructure projects and population growth forecast across the region, concerns are mounting that without urgent action, congestion will only worsen.

For Hawkesbury residents, Windsor Road is more than just a busy corridor- it’ s a lifeline. And right now, that lifeline is under serious strain.

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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 192 // MAY 2026 9