A haven for graffiti and muggers

CITY TUNNEL PROPOSAL

ARCHITECT Scott Balmforth is enthusiastic about a tunnel for Hobart ( Mercury, June 26). Over the years I’ve walked through many tunnels in many cities throughout the world and I can list their advantages. They make excellent public toilets, especially at night when other facilities are closed. The large amount of wall space gives graffiti artists ample opportunity for displaying their “art”. The homeless appreciate the shelter tunnels provide so they can bed down out of the weather. Muggers enjoy the privacy of tunnels where they can prey on victims away from onlookers at street level. Tunnels are handy rubbish receptacles. Litter invariably blows down from the street above or people leave bags of rubbish behind when no one is looking.

Perhaps Hobart’s tunnel will be well-lit, clean and regularly patrolled by security guards. If not, may I suggest to any future tunnel walker that you close your nose, don’t trip on the rubbish, hide your valuables and walk very fast. $7 million might do a good job of fixing our footpaths for a while, but we use our footpaths to hide a spaghetti bowl of pipes and wires and ugly services, and as these are repaired and upgraded, our footpaths are certain to be restored to their lived in charm. I can’t agree that it would be wise to spend $7 million trying to build bicycle paths. That is way too tiny a budget to do anything useful. We’d just build fakes that create many problems and solve none.

Small-town solutions

A TUNNEL from the city to the Cove! We need that like a hole in the head. We are not in Hong Kong. I presume the architect proponent stands to make a couple of million dollars out of this ludicrous waste of money. For goodness sake, there are a thousand other things the local and state governments could be doing with the amount of money this stupid tunnel would cost. If they want to spend large sums of money on something, build an Etihadtype stadium at Macquarie Point.

Find another plan

IT appears to me that the proposed pedestrian tunnel is being used to direct attention away from the real issue — through traffic using Macquarie and Davey Streets. Pedestrians are being pushed underground to try to improve the traffic flow in these two main streets. Both streets contain some very historic buildings and tourists and residents alike should be encouraged to enjoy and appreciate them, A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. rather than being consigned to an underpass to avoid being poisoned by fumes, deafened by noise and possibly run over by a timber truck. Who will want to make use of the upgraded Franklin Square with a never-ending stream of vehicles roaring down the streets on either side? And as for the bus routes, any reorganisation will surely be to the detriment of local commuters. This whole idea needs a rethink.

We can do better

THE concept drawings of a pedestrian tunnel under Davey Street are appealing at face value. But there are many reasons why I don’t think this is a good idea. Underpasses are outdated, except as a last resort — many urban design experts agree that tunnels should only be used to get across freeways (which Davey Street isn’t), where it’s simply not possible for there to be crossings, footpaths or any chance of vibrant street life. While underpasses may look attractive at planning stage, in reality, they are frequently avoided by pedestrians in favour of a more direct crossing on the street. With a price tag for the tunnel starting at $7.29 million, this is a very large expenditure for just one crossing point. And we haven’t tried the simpler cheaper solutions for pedestrians yet — let’s try resetting the timing of traffic lights outside peak hour or during festivals, and monitor the results. I hope that when this is voted on in council, we see beyond the snazzy visuals and consider the alternative advice and the potential negatives of pursuing this route.

Wrong numbers

IN Steve Jones’s letter (June 26) on changing the date of Christmas and Easter, he quoted the percentage of nonChristian religions and nonbelievers as 1.5 per cent. From the 2011 Census the percentages are non-Christian religions 7.2 per cent, no religious affiliation 22.3 per cent.

Talent search

TRANSPORTING the Tasmanian Liberal Senate Team flyer from my mailbox to the recycling, I can only wonder with amazement that the Libs can’t find a single woman in the whole of Tasmania up to the calibre of these four gents.

Celebrate light

I THINK there is enough darkness and things that shock us in the world as it stands, we don’t need to add to it by bringing the Nitsches of this world again. The images were horrific and distressing. If a person did that to a dead dog in public they would soon face court or be put in psychiatric care.

Stay away

CONGRATULATIONS to restaurants not having Tassie salmon on the menu. Better still don’t eat at restaurants that sell Tassie salmon. A bit of signage will help the cause so consumers can make an informed choice.