Have Your Say: Shared bike consultation
Warrandyte Community Hall, 2-8 Taroona Avenue
WCA Committee members have concerns re the planned shared path
It is the WCA Committee’s opinion that there are many unresolved problems with the current design for this project. Council has resolved to build this path regardless of the WCA committee’s submissions, so we need members to turn up Monday’s Council consultation session (details below) and write up comments – whatever they are. The Committee is interested in seeing diverse views. This may be our last opportunity to influence the design process.
Manningham shared path – Heidelberg-Warrandyte Rd from Pound Rd to Taroona Ave
The City of Manningham is planning to build a shared bicycle/pedestrian path along the south side of Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road from Pound Road to Taroona Avenue. Manningham’s preferred Option 1would replace the gravel shoulder with a concrete path close to the road (see cross section below). Path users would need to cross Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road, therefore new pedestrian traffic lights between Pound Road and Tindals Road are needed.
The proposal is a similar concept to the recent path east of Mullum Mullum Creek near Beasleys nursery (see photo below). This path has been the subject of significant criticism by bike path design experts, pedestrians and cyclists, as well motorists who are concerned about safety, distraction and the potential for a cyclist coming off the path onto the roadway, particularly for young children. The only difference the new proposal offers is to squeeze in a 700mm wide planted nature strip between the path and the kerb.
WCA Concerns and Comments regarding Option 1
- Safety. The Warrandyte Community Association (WCA) has significant safety concerns for Option 1 as children and other users will be close to the roadway with a curved alignment, steep grade, heavy traffic (9000 vehicle movements per day), and speed limit of 70 km/h. With the Manningham proposal, passing traffic will be closer to path than the road/path separation near Beasleys (see sketches below). We have additional safety concerns when the path is shared, traffic will be in both directions and users could include walkers, families with young children, recreational riders, commuters and serious sports cyclists.
- User Experience. Unlike the bushy Mullum Mullum and Yarra trails, Option 1 would provide minimal enjoyment and user experience for recreation, due to vehicle noise and proximity to traffic.
- Visual Impact. Option 1 would also result in significant visual impact and change to the semi-rural roadway and character which forms a gateway into Warrandyte, i.e. extending urbanisation, removing the gravel shoulder, constructing kerb and channel, and severely changing the rural rock cut slope adjacent to the roadway.
- Loss of trees. There would also be a loss of significant trees and other vegetation, especially where the path needs to go behind the bus bays (see photo below).
- Additional road crossings. Option 1 is also unsatisfactory as it is on the wrong side of the road for a direct connection leading to the Yarra River path at Taroona Reserve. The rest of the trail is on the north side of the road. It means that pedestrians and cyclists would need to cross the high-speed, high-volume Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road twice, near Tindals Road or Melbourne Hill Road, and then cross back again near the sports grounds. It is not a good strategic connection
- The concept drawings are not adequate for public comment purposes as they do not describe the impacts on vegetation or address safety concerns. A genuine follow-up session is needed before the final design is commissioned.
Our view is that the Manningham proposal is unacceptable.
However, we recognise that there may be differing views among members and the wider community. We encourage you to attend the next Manningham community ‘consultation’ sessions on Monday 18th August, at the Warrandyte Community Hall, 2-8 Taroona Avenue, 4-7pm, look at the plans and provide feedback. It is only by getting involved now that you can influence the outcome.
For comments to the WCA please e-mail: info@warrandyte.org.au
For comments to Manningham: https://yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/main-yarra-trail