[YarraBUG-list] [Fwd: [vicbugchat] FW: Clearway extension]

Mon May 26 14:06:45 AEST 2008

Hi all

  Following the previous Yarra BUG meeting, yarra bug is developing a position on clearways which individual members can then tweak and send out to Brumby, Kosky and Pallas. I have attached a draft letter which articulates some key points at the meeting.

  Sincerely

  Kemran

Yarra Bicycle Users Group <enquiries at yarrabug.org> wrote:
  Hi all,

Recalling this recent message to the YarraBUG list from Cr Jackie
Fristacky (see link below), Anna from MorelandBUG has written to State
Government regarding the changes to inner suburbs clearway operating
hours.

http://yarrabug.org/pipermail/yarrabug-list_yarrabug.org/2008-May/000053.html

In her letter (also see below), Anna makes several very important points
about what these changes could entail, especially at a crucial time when
more sustainable opinions should be more broadly canvassed, especially
with local communities and businesses who will be directly affected by
congestion and loss of amenities.

Another important aspect has also been overlooked with clearway changes,
that is, regardless of whether people like paying parking fees or not,
that it will lead to a drop in council revenue. Which could lead to other
unforeseen issues, like cuts in council services or increased fees
elsewhere.

If this issue concerns you, please make your opinions known and write to
the State Government. Also, this issue will be added to Sunday's YarraBUG
meeting agenda.

cheers,

Chris

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [vicbugchat] FW: Clearway extension
From: "Anna Strempel" 
Date: Thu, May 22, 2008 4:11 pm
To: "vicbugchat" 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all,

As you are no doubt aware, the State Government has announced a proposal
to extend operating hours for all clearways within a 10km radius of the
city.

Below is a copy of the email I sent to Brumby and to Ministers Kosky
(PT) and Pallas (Roads) re the clearway extensions; want to encourage as
many people as possible to contact local MPs and the above ministers to
express disappointment with the clearways proposal. Email addresses for
Kosky, Pallas and Brumby can be found below; feel free to borrow from my
email if it helps.

If you need more info on the extensions the City of Yarra did a pretty
good media release:
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Publications/Media%20releases/Clearway.asp

And on the other side, the State Govt had this to say:

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/News/NewCongestionPlantoeasepeakpressure.htm

Cheers, Anna Strempel

Moreland BUG

From: Anna Strempel
Sent: Friday, 16 May 2008 5:23 PM
To: 'lynne.kosky at parliament.vic.gov.au';
'john.brumby at parliament.vic.gov.au'; 'tim.pallas at parliament.vic.gov.au'
Subject: Clearway extension

Dear Mr Brumby, Mr Pallas and Ms Kosky,

I write to express my strong objection to the plan to extend clearway
operating times within 10km of the city. I believe this policy will be
disastrous for cyclists, pedestrians and tram users, and that it will
serve to encourage car dependence at a time when we need to do the
opposite.

I regularly cycle along Sydney Road in Brunswick and Coburg for work,
shopping and social outings and I can tell you firsthand that while
Sydney Rd never feels very safe for cyclists, during clearway operating
times it is a nightmare. It is well known that higher speed limits make
roads more dangerous for cyclists, and speed has been found to be the
single most important determinant of the number of road fatalities
generally.

I also frequently walk and catch the tram along Sydney Road - during
clearway hours it is not a pleasant place to spend time. Further,
stepping into two lanes of fast-moving traffic, which sometimes fails to
obey the stop signs, makes getting on or off a tram an unnecessarily
harrowing experience, particularly for older people and those with
reduced mobility.

You would be well aware that we are at a time in which we must act
urgently and decisively to reduce our greenhouse emissions, and part of
the challenge is to encourage the use of sustainable transport and
reduce single-occupant private car trips. I don't believe that extending
clearway hours will help us to achieve these goals; rather, I believe it
will have the reverse effect. At all levels of government, we need to
employ every possible means to make our roads more cycle- and
pedestrian-friendly and to improve the usability of our public transport
system. While extending clearways may be one way of temporarily reducing
congestion along tram routes, there are better, more permanent ways to
achieve this without creating spin-off negative impacts for passengers
and for other sustainable modes of transport.

I support the City of Yarra's position that extending clearway times
offers a temporary solution to easing some congestion, as freeing up
road space only encourages more commuters to drive and eventually brings
us back to dealing with congested roads.

Further to the points raised above, I am very disappointed at the lack
of consultation preceding the announcement of this plan. It comes across
as knee-jerk policy that has not been properly thought through or tested
with the community, and I look forward to a halt on the decision
followed by a proper and thorough consultation process with all
stakeholders.

Yours sincerely,

Anna Strempel

Convenor, Moreland Bicycle Users Group

C/- PO Box 276
Brunswick VIC 3056
PH: 0418 933 774

-- 

-- 
Yarra Bicycle Users Group Inc.
PO Box 253
Clifton Hill VIC 3068
http://www.yarrabug.org
------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------
Abbotsford, Alphington, Burnley, Carlton North,
Clifton Hill, Cremorne, Collingwood, Fairfield,
Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Princes Hill, Richmond
------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------             Hi all, 

  As you are no doubt aware, the State Government has announced a proposal to extend operating hours for all clearways within a 10km radius of the city. 

  Below is a copy of the email I sent to Brumby and to Ministers Kosky (PT) and Pallas (Roads) re the clearway extensions; want to encourage as many people as possible to contact local MPs and the above ministers to express disappointment with the clearways proposal. Email addresses for Kosky, Pallas and Brumby can be found below; feel free to borrow from my email if it helps. 

  If you need more info on the extensions the City of Yarra did a pretty good media release: http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Publications/Media%20releases/Clearway.asp 

  And on the other side, the State Govt had this to say: 
  http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/News/NewCongestionPlantoeasepeakpressure.htm 

  Cheers, Anna Strempel 
  Moreland BUG 

      From: Anna Strempel 
Sent: Friday, 16 May 2008 5:23 PM
To: 'lynne.kosky at parliament.vic.gov.au'; 'john.brumby at parliament.vic.gov.au'; 'tim.pallas at parliament.vic.gov.au'
Subject: Clearway extension 

  Dear Mr Brumby, Mr Pallas and Ms Kosky, 

  I write to express my strong objection to the plan to extend clearway operating times within 10km of the city. I believe this policy will be disastrous for cyclists, pedestrians and tram users, and that it will serve to encourage car dependence at a time when we need to do the opposite. 

  I regularly cycle along Sydney Road in Brunswick and Coburg for work, shopping and social outings and I can tell you firsthand that while Sydney Rd never feels very safe for cyclists, during clearway operating times it is a nightmare. It is well known that higher speed limits make roads more dangerous for cyclists, and speed has been found to be the single most important determinant of the number of road fatalities generally. 

  I also frequently walk and catch the tram along Sydney Road – during clearway hours it is not a pleasant place to spend time. Further, stepping into two lanes of fast-moving traffic, which sometimes fails to obey the stop signs, makes getting on or off a tram an unnecessarily harrowing experience, particularly for older people and those with reduced mobility. 

  You would be well aware that we are at a time in which we must act urgently and decisively to reduce our greenhouse emissions, and part of the challenge is to encourage the use of sustainable transport and reduce single-occupant private car trips. I don’t believe that extending clearway hours will help us to achieve these goals; rather, I believe it will have the reverse effect. At all levels of government, we need to employ every possible means to make our roads more cycle- and pedestrian-friendly and to improve the usability of our public transport system. While extending clearways may be one way of temporarily reducing congestion along tram routes, there are better, more permanent ways to achieve this without creating spin-off negative impacts for passengers and for other sustainable modes of transport. 

  I support the City of Yarra’s position that extending clearway times offers a temporary solution to easing some congestion, as freeing up road space only encourages more commuters to drive and eventually brings us back to dealing with congested roads. 

  Further to the points raised above, I am very disappointed at the lack of consultation preceding the announcement of this plan. It comes across as knee-jerk policy that has not been properly thought through or tested with the community, and I look forward to a halt on the decision followed by a proper and thorough consultation process with all stakeholders. 

  Yours sincerely, 

  Anna Strempel 
  Convenor, Moreland Bicycle Users Group 
  C/- PO Box 276 
  Brunswick VIC 3056 
  PH: 0418 933 774 

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