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Commute times along one of Sydney’ s most congested road corridors have deteriorated sharply, with morning peak travel along Windsor Road and Old Windsor Road blowing out by up to nine minutes in just 12 months- and there are warnings the situation is only set to worsen.

New data reveals the corridor is now so heavily congested that drivers are crawling along at an average peakhour speed of just 21.8km / h- a 10 per cent drop compared to the same period last year.

The figures come from a recent study conducted by The Hills Shire Council, analysing morning commute times between The Gables and Norwest Business Park. The research was undertaken one year after Council launched its Fight for a Fairer Hills Future campaign, highlighting

mounting infrastructure pressures across the rapidly growing region.

Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, said the findings confirm what residents are experiencing daily- worsening congestion, longer travel times and growing frustration.

“ Windsor Road and Old Windsor Road run through the heart of the fastest-growing area in NSW,” Mayor Byrne said.

“ They connect The Hills Shire and Blacktown local government areas, which together have a combined housing target of 45,000 new homes over the next five years. That level of growth demands urgent infrastructure investment.”

Mayor Byrne acknowledged the Federal Government’ s $ 220 million election commitment to upgrade the corridor, announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year, but said

the community is still waiting for tangible progress.

“ While the funding commitment is welcomed, we need to see the rubber hit the road,” she said.

“ The reality is this corridor will require billions of dollars in upgrades to make it fit for purpose as our population continues to grow. By 2041, the population in this region is expected to rival that of the ACT and Tasmania combined.”

She warned that without immediate action, congestion will continue to escalate, placing additional strain on families, workers and businesses.

“ People living in these suburbs are spending more time in their cars, more money on fuel, and less time with their families,” Mayor Byrne said.

“ We’ ve already seen a 10 per cent drop in average speeds in just 12 months. What happens in another