[YarraBUG-list] Gipps Street Steps ... again

[Yarra Bicycle Users Group]

Hi all,

See below for todays Age article, at long last there may *finally* be a
positive result on the Gipps Street Steps, see previous history on
campaigns page: http://www.yarrabug.org/campaigns/

But wait, there's another catch:

" ... But until last night, the Baillieu government had not confirmed if
the project would proceed. Now it has been pushed back until next
financial year and is set to cost $200,000 more ..."

Concerned about yet another delay or inaction?

Contact:

Hon. Ted Baillieu
Premier. Leader of the Liberal Party
Level 1, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne, VIC
Phone (03) 9651 5000, Fax (03) 9651 5054
Email Address ted.baillieu at parliament.vic.gov.au

Hon Hugh Delahunty
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Level 22, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC
Phone (03) 9096 8830, Fax (03) 9096 3611
Email Address hugh.delahunty at parliament.vic.gov.au

Hon Terry Mulder
Minister for Public Transport. Minister for Roads
Level 16, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC
Phone (03) 9095 4330, Fax (03) 9095 4483
Email Address terence.mulder at parliament.vic.gov.au


Yarra trail rides high on Evans win Reid Sexton. July 27, 2011
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/yarra-trail-rides-high-on-evans-win-20110726-1hylp.html

Cyclists forced to push their bikes up stairs to be able to continue on
the bike path in Abbotsford. Photo: Wayne Taylor

THE final piece of Melbourne's most popular bike trail is set to be
completed in the wake of Cadel Evans's historic Tour de France win.

The Baillieu government last night announced it would proceed with a $4.3
million project to build a bridge over the Yarra River in Abbotsford after
inquiries from The Age.

Earlier in the day the plan had won support from those closest to Evans,
including his mother Helen Cocks, a keen cyclist who said her son would
wholeheartedly back any plan to improve the path.

The bridge will be built to service the Capital City bike trail and the
Yarra bike trail, which runs for about 35 kilometres from the city along
the river to Templestowe and is used by thousands of Melburnians each day.

But a 10-metre-high staircase in Abbotsford means riders must carry their
bikes up 42 steps to Gipps Street before rejoining the path.

Last August the Labor government unveiled a plan to build a $4.1 million
bridge this year from Clarke Street that would save riders the climb.

But until last night, the Baillieu government had not confirmed if the
project would proceed. Now it has been pushed back until next financial
year and is set to cost $200,000 more.

Bicycle Victoria said the Yarra trail was the state's busiest and about
1000 cyclists each week day were forced to haul their bikes up the stairs,
with many potential riders unwilling to do so and reluctant to use local
roads.

Ms Cocks, who used to commute along the Yarra trail, said climbing the
steps was difficult and the number of people deterred from riding meant
the bridge project should be revived.

''I commute regularly [by bike] and you do it because it's fun, but you
also do it because it's quick,'' she said. ''To get off and on your bike
it really makes it difficult because you've got your work clothes in a
backpack then you put your bike on your shoulder and carry it up. It is
just painful.

Ms Cocks said son Cadel would back the bridge's construction because it
helped the community and encouraged safety by getting cyclists off the
road and onto a path.

''He's so big on bike safety and using bikes as transport,'' she said.

''Anything that makes cycling safer and easier for people to do, the more
people will ride. The more people that ride, the safer it gets for all of
us 
 and the less trouble we have with [road] congestion.''

Richmond Labor MP Richard Wynne, who had pushed for the bridge, last night
welcomed the news.

Bicycle Victoria chief Harry Barber said he was delighted with the news
and that it would be an asset to Melbourne.

A government spokeswoman said the project would commence, provided an
agreed construction option was determined, with several options for the
exact location of the bridge to be considered.



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Yarra Bicycle Users Group
PO Box 253
Clifton Hill VIC 3068
http://www.yarrabug.org

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