Sydney councils say cost of living pressures are being felt on local roads. 

Sydney's network of tolled motorways has led to unintended consequences for local communities, with an independent review highlighting the financial burden on motorists and the damage to neighbourhood roads due to “rat-running”. 

Residents and councils are voicing concerns over safety and increased costs for road repairs.

LJ Loch, co-founder of WestProtects Rozelle, has expressed the community's frustrations with the impact of the WestConnex project. 

“People are frustrated by the time they resort to rat running, so they're not necessarily conscious of keeping an eye out for pedestrians, for kids on their way to school,” Loch says.

Locals say the situation is creating safety risks to pedestrians from drivers avoiding tolls by cutting through local streets.

A recent review, spearheaded by former ACCC chair Allan Fels and David Cousins, projected that Sydney motorists would face $195 billion in tolls by 2060. 

It revealed that high toll costs have pushed nearly half of the drivers onto alternative, non-tolled routes. 

Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne has highlighted the damage to local roads and the increase in rat running, especially after the opening of the Rozelle Interchange. He also pointed out the absence of financial compensation for the damage to local roads, exacerbating the community's burden.

The review's findings on the average speeds on tolled versus local roads show the dilemma for motorists, who opt for slower local roads to avoid high tolls. 

Despite the introduction of a rebate scheme, experts and local officials argue that resolving the issues with tolled motorways is preferable to offering toll relief.

Canada Bay Mayor Michael Megna says additional confusion has been caused by the new toll structures, further aggravating local traffic conditions. 

The situation raises questions about the sustainability of the current tolling approach and the need for comprehensive reforms to ensure the efficient use of Sydney's road network.