In 1794, the governor of the colony reported that he had caused a very good road to be made, but there is no evidence that any bridges were built over the streams.

[citation needed] The colony's first stage coach (valued at £300) was imported in 1821 but did not begin regular service until 1823.

In the 1800s, the government acquired a strip of land from Ashfield to Burwood from the Rosebank Estate, owned by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, Australia's first religious congregation.

Increased traffic congestion along the road steadily made it less attractive for residential and commercial use during the 20th century.

By the end of the 20th century, proposals to revitalise Parramatta Road and make it more attractive were regularly made.

This plan was abandoned, and the WestConnex proposal was later changed to a pair of tunnels parallel to Parramatta Road and connecting to the existing M4 motorway.

The new extension was known as M4 East and was eventually built between the end of the existing M4 motorway in North Strathfield and Haberfield, where it connected to the A4 road.

[9][10] The project resulted in the creation of a new entry and exit ramp on Parramatta Road in Ashfield, the narrowing of westbound traffic lanes for through-traffic to one lane at either end of the tunnel, and the demolition of a large number of houses in Ashfield and Haberfield to make way for the tunnel ramps.

[12] A NSW Business Chamber Executive Patricia Forsythe said that the road is "one of the least attractive commercial areas of Sydney".

Former NSW premier Nick Greiner thought the road looked "like Beirut on a bad day".

The Sydney Morning Herald writer Elizabeth Farrelly described it as "filthy, noisy, sclerotic and dull".

[13] On a lighter note, Tess De Quincey, an Australian performer/director said, "Every chapter of Sydney's history has been written on Parramatta Road.

"[14] A Sydney Morning Herald editor said that whilst the road is "ugly in parts, drab in others, and generally unpleasant", it is still "fundamental to the economic and social viability of the greater city".

[15] Since the 1970s many buildings fronting Parramatta Road, especially those in the prime locations of the Inner West (from Newtown to Homebush), have become vacant and fallen into disrepair, with many vandalised.

Previously these buildings were a major part of local life for the suburbs along Parramatta Road, providing employment, retailing and other services.