Now you have a lane closure?
CITY TRAFFIC
AMAZING that on the same day the minister advises the introduction of more tow trucks in an attempt to relieve congestion, Hobart City Council in its wisdom decides to close a lane in Melville St for 17 months (“Uni build to halt traffic,” Mercury, August 6), this decision apparently for the University to bring in a crane to construct another building. Shortly after, a group of councillors advised they didn’t join the council solely for roads, rubbish and rates. I would suggest this is blatantly obvious.
Perhaps if they put a bit more focus on the role they were elected to do we wouldn’t end up with another decision that will push traffic into adjacent streets and lead to more congestion. Has the council not noticed that drivers in adjacent Bathurst St are dealing with everchanging lane closures that also turn into Argyle St which has had lane closures for years? As I’m pretty sure the university owns the land next to the building under construction, has there been thought to the crane sitting there?
Although it appears the HCC is focused on pushing motorists out of the CBD, it is motorists that give it parking revenue and I would suggest contribute significantly to revenue for CBD businesses Frustration with congestion will lead to people choosing to spend their dollars elsewhere. I for one would really appreciate seeing more of our councillors focused on the three Rs. services for Redline, Coal River Valley, O’Driscoll’s and others. Passengers would be in a safe and warm environment and be able to take the three-minute walk to the city centre or as Chris suggested, get on an electric shuttle bus which may loop to Salamanca Place. To propose a site such as under Elizabeth Mall would take us down a path of midcity mayhem during construction. I suggest the new minister Michael Ferguson embrace Chris Merridew’s proposal because it would so easily be integrated in the STEM construction.
Western bypass fix
HOBART is unique among Australian capitals in allowing the whole of its central street system to be used for traffic trying to get either to the CBD or to bypass the centre. The scheme outlined by the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (Talking Point, August 6) to create clearways on major arterials together with tow-trucks to remove vehicles reinforces this unique situation. It will see the whole of the central street system, from Macquarie and Davey plus all their cross-arterials from Regent/Antill to Campbell streets, being conduits for traffic to the detriment of pedestrians and vehicle owners trying to access the city’s commercial and retail outlets. The minister emphasised the role of public transport from bus lanes to ferries. He and his advisers should know private vehicles and public transport effectively operate in separate markets.
The only solution to congestion is to construct a western bypass around the CBD to connect the Southern Outlet with the Brooker Avenue and Tasman Highway in order to separate city-bound traffic from bypass traffic and to provide alternative entry points to the CBD. Such a project will take at least a decade to plan and execute. There is no time to lose. Tinkering at the edges and reinforcing the existing system is simply not good enough.
Simple, invest in buses
THE Editorial says Hobart needs a bypass ( Mercury, August 6). I’m sure it will provoke a flood of support from people who are unaware of the evidence. The evidence is that more than 90 per cent of traffic does not pass through the CBD during peak times, therefore a bypass will make little difference. The UTAS move to town will only increase that proportion.
The obvious solution is to significantly invest in buses to get schoolchildren and willing commuters off the road. This is quick and along with other public transport, offers the best long-term solution. If people insist on growth they have to wear the consequences — it’s public transport. Look at any other city larger than Hobart. The Editorial says we must plan for the future, and resurrecting a plan from the 1960s is no way to do that.
Power supply
ALL that’s needed, Angus Taylor, is for the electricity market to deal only with blocks of supply over at least a 24 hour period. We can’t run this country only when gluts are available just like supermarkets can’t.
Politeness? Too late for that
CLARENCE City Greens councillor Beth Warren wants our political representatives to become more congenial, polite and respectful (Talking Point, August 3). That fanciful field of horses bolted into the blue decades ago.
Uni growth
IF the Bathurst St overpass had not been built, UTAS would be unable to link its city buildings with its expansion into the Domain and we can’t have that, can we now.
On a promise
AS a community service, print monthly a list of policies and grants promised by both federal and state governments and a list of those actually fulfilled.
Not sure who that is
TASMANIA’S preferred premier is Rebecca … who?