By Gabrielle Costa
AN AREA long regarded as a “missing link” for cyclists in the West will soon include a new path designed for those who prefer pedal power – whether for transport or recreation.
Councillors at the City of Maribyrnong’s Community Access and Strategic Policy Meeting this month unanimously accepted a route for the proposed path, which was financed in this month’s State Budget.
The Port of Melbourne Corporation commissioned a study from a private consulting company that identified a range of “preferred routes” for the path, from the Stony Creek backwash to Footscray Rd to the west of the Maribyrnong River.
The option accepted by councillors is entirely off road – as favoured by almost 90 per cent of the cyclists surveyed before the routes were drawn up – and is the cheapest of the three under consideration.
The survey raised a range of concerns about cycling in the area, including truck traffic, speeding and aggressive drivers, the poor condition of existing facilities and dangerous intersections.
The council opted for a route that would run through Hyde St, Somerville Rd, Whitehall St and Moreland St.
Its estimated cost is $1.176 million.
“It is considered that the Whitehall St option (adopted by the council) provides the best and most direct route, removes the need for crossing of Moreland St, is supported by stakeholders (after extensive consultation) and is the least expensive,” a report presented to the councillors said.
“This route involves use of land owned by the PoMC, and the demolition of buildings along the alignment to ensure a sufficient buffer between the path and the road.
“PoMC has committed to fund the works on its land along this alignment. The State Government has announced funding for the remaining section of this path,” the report said.
The decision has no official standing until it is formally adopted at tonight’s (Tuesday’s) ordinary meeting of the council.
