Victora Park path closure!

My partner got caught today trying to cross Victoria Park.  I know the ACC are developing Victoria Park but do they really need to close the path so that the hundreds of cyclists (and some pedestrians) who use it every day are put out?  My partner uses our cargo bike to carry our twins while my daughter rides beside him on her own bike across Victoria Park every day - it's our school run.  Today my poor daughter struggled to get across the sand and lawn as did poor G.  I've ridden a cargo bike across lawn; it ain't easy.  Have a look at Grant's blog for more photos.  Did anyone else get caught this afternoon?  I pity all those cyclists riding home from work and attempting to cross the park in the dark.  If it was a road the ACC would have advance warning for days before closure with clear signage explaining when it was to open and they would give a viable alternative.  The ACC could have laid a new path before closing off the old one.  The school run is now going to take double the time which my 7 year old will hate or we'll have to resort to driving the car in peak hour - yuk.    

 

 

Tags: ACC, Park, Victoria, bike, cargo, children, closure, cycling, lane, with

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine C on June 6, 2011 at 22:19
where abouts is this? Is this the path that runs between Fullarton road and East Tce?
Permalink Reply by Sandy Lepore on June 6, 2011 at 22:20
Yes it is.
Permalink Reply by Lorraine C on June 6, 2011 at 22:33

Is there access still between Wakefield (I think it's Wakefield) & East Tce? (the path that runs parallel to East Tce). I cut thru the Parklands from the corner of Dequetteville Tce/North Tce and ride to East Tce/Gilles St twice a week.

Permalink Reply by Sandy Lepore on June 6, 2011 at 22:41
I think the North/South path is clear.  It's the East/West path that is blocked.
Permalink Reply by Don Plush on June 6, 2011 at 22:52
North/South was clear tonight.  Saw people caught out trying to head west/east across the parklands.  There has been no advance notice for this closure that I am aware of.
Permalink Reply by Sandy Lepore on June 6, 2011 at 23:19
Some signage would have been nice.  There was a letter to local residents from the ACC Project Manager which said that "...fencing will be erected this week (letter dated 17th May) around the perimeter of the site and there will be restricted access to footpaths and the southern grassed area during the upgrade."  Fences did go up then but the East/West path was kept clear.  The letter says the "completion of works is scheduled for approximately December 2011".  If that East/West path is closed 'til December we really do have a problem with getting my daughter to school.
Permalink Reply by Gus K on June 6, 2011 at 22:23
Thanks for letting us know Sandy. I could imagine Grant's cargo bike would find it much harder going.
Permalink Reply by Luke on June 6, 2011 at 22:24

Yes, I got caught on the way home tonight. It was open this morning and I didn't see any signs saying it would be closed.

Permalink Reply by heather on June 7, 2011 at 16:04

Yesterday I emailed ACC. Perhaps too soon for a response.

Heather, Coordinator of Adelaide BUG, one of the groups on AC.

Permalink Reply by Tony Hull on June 7, 2011 at 16:28
Yes, the ACC through the Lord Mayor makes a lot of noise about sustainability and bicycle friendly. Once again this appears to be more spin than substance. Lip service is easy. But the bureacrats in ACC don't seem to give bicycle users a second thought.
Permalink Reply by Sandy Lepore on June 7, 2011 at 21:30
Thanks Heather for emailing the ACC.  My partner Grant has emailed them too.  He heard back from Deputy Lord Mayor David Plumridge who said, "I understand your disappointment but it is a matter of ensuring safe working
conditions. When it is all done we hope there will be a better outcome especially for sporting groups and the protection of native flora and fauna in the southern end of the Park."  Are the gardeners worried about getting hit by a bike or a pedestrian?  In a later email he did say that,, "An East/West sealed crossing will remain a feature of the future Victoria Park."  Shame we may have to wait 'til December for it.  If it was a road for cars I'm sure they would have worked harder to minimise the impact of works on commuters.

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Permalink Reply by heather on June 7, 2011 at 23:42

Sandy, I was thinking of how ACC puts up advance warning signs for cars (did not put that in my email), but different approach for bicycle transport. Not good enough. It is rare for the ACC to totally close a road (exception tram line installation) and then not for six months. I emailed council staff.

I will consider contacting all elected council, on behalf of Adelaide BUG and AC members. Will other AC members contact ACC? Email addresses can be found on their website.

My next deadline is commenting on a SA road safety draft, with submissions closing this Friday.

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