Clark calls for re-think on tram stop push
News Release - 13th June 2002
The State Government is planning to install a new design of tram stop between Elgar Road and Union Road which will narrow Whitehorse Road to one lane around the stops and prevent residents from making right hand turns into or out of their properties.
The tram stops will involve creating a split level road surface, raising the surface on both sides of the tram track, and placing rows of dividing posts down the middle of the roadway to separate the two levels.
The Government is also looking to place this new design of tram stop on other sections of Route 109 in future.
Whitehorse Road residents were first told of the plans by letters from VicRoads dated 31st May, and given further details at an information evening on 12th June. Construction is intended to start within weeks, to be completed in time for the opening of the extension, which is now expected to be in late 2002.
Although these new tram stops are being first installed on the tram line extension to Box Hill, they are not part of the extension project, but part of a separate State Government project for disability access to trams.
The Member for Box Hill, Robert Clark, says the move to roll out the new tram stops has been rushed and poorly considered, and has called for the roll-out plans to be halted and the tram stop design to be thoroughly re-assessed in conjunction with affected residents and traders.
"In their present form, these new stops look bad for traffic, bad for residents, and bad for safety.
"Although VicRoads say that forcing traffic down to one lane around these stops will only add a few seconds to travelling time, this is hard to believe for peak period traffic. These stops seem likely to cause enormous congestion in morning peaks, causing traffic to divert and congest other east-west routes, such as Mont Albert Road.
"It is bizarre that the Government is spending millions of dollars to widen Whitehorse Road from Elgar Road to Market Street to make room for the tram line, and yet is proposing to spend more money to narrow Whitehorse Road for long stretches between Elgar Road and Union Road.
"Residents whose homes front these new stops will be forced to make dangerous U turns in the middle of Whitehorse Road, or else make long detours around side streets in order to turn around or get back to their homes.
"Residents and businesses will also suffer from the drastic restrictions of car parking which these stops will require.
"Residents attempting to turn into Whitehorse Road from side streets including Wellesley Street, Inglisby Street, Hotham Street and Hood Street are also likely to be affected by traffic congestion.
"Another big concern is that the tram stops do not provide safety zones for tram travellers, but the road narrowing and road barriers will make them look as though they do.
"Many motorists will think they are allowed to drive past trams at these stops, which will put passengers at risk as they step off the tram or step out from the footpath to board the tram.
"Seeking to improve access to trams for people with mobility impairments is a worthwhile objective, but this tram stop design is badly flawed.
"These stops threaten enormous and unfair disruption to the lives of dozens of residents on Whitehorse Road, and will affect hundreds of other residents in nearby streets, as well as motorists throughout Whitehorse and beyond who use Whitehorse Road, and yet there has been no real consultation.
"Residents and road users have simply been given a few weeks' notice of what the Government intends to do to them."