By Ann Marie Angebrandt
A LONG-OVERDUE cycling and walking trail from Werribee to Hobsons Bay was finally opened at the weekend.
The 23-kilometre Federation Trail was first proposed by the State Government in 1999 as part of the Geelong Rd upgrade to separate cyclists from traffic.
The $12.5 million trail follows the historic main outfall sewer, built in the 1890s, running from the Werribee River to Millers Rd in Brooklyn.
The project was stalled for several years due to haggling between the Wyndham City Council and the State Government about shared costs.
Controlled road crossings, including lights, have been set up at Princes Highway, Little Boundary Rd, Dohertys Rd, Fitzgerald Rd, Leakes Rd, Sayers Rd, Morris Rd, Duncans Rd and Hoppers Lane.
Bicycle Victoria’s Mark Dixon said it was the biggest single investment in cycling facilities in Victoria.
“It forms a wonderful spine for cyclists in the West to ride to the train station, ride to work, ride for recreation.”
The trail links up with existing routes, including the Western Ring Rd shared path, and the Werribee River Trail.
“The next thing to do is link it to other regional trails, like the Bay Trail and the Maribyrnong Trail,”Mr Dixon said.
Barry Harvey, chairman of the Werribee industrial liaison development committee, and owner of a cold storage business, said many industrialists in the Laverton North area were shaking their heads about why a route was chosen that goes through the back yards of abattoirs and warehouses.
“We spent more than $30,000 for consultants to come up with a much more scenic alternative route that follows Skeleton Creek.
“This is not the kind of trail that families will cycle for a picnic on a sunny weekend afternoon.”
Mr Barry said he expected the section of the trail through Laverton North would get minimal use.
