Canning Bridge traffic is a mess, no doubt about that. Cars, buses, pedestrians, bicycles and trains find their way through as best they can. The bridge sees more use every day. Coordinated planning is sorely needed.
Following recent attention by Lynn MacLaren of the Greens, Friday saw a thorough walking inspection by a very high- level group. Simon O’Brien- Minister for Transport, John McGrath- State Member for South Perth, James Best- Mayor of South Perth, Cliff Frewing- CEO, City of South Perth, top executives and engineers from Public Transport Authority, Main Roads and Department of Transport plus senior staff from City of South Perth, a Disability Access specialist, and myself.
This is very probably the first time such a group had seen our local chaos together, for themselves. Having everyone on site together produced good, effective communication around the issues and what can be done. Minister Simon O’Brien promised “consolidated action, across departments.”
I had always thought that lack of pedestrian access was an oversight but the engineers said that the bridge was meant to be just a bus and train interchange. Now that we see thousands of people from South Perth and Melville walking to the station it is clear that some imaginative design work is needed. People jumping fences, dodging traffic and dropping friends and family in three un- official kiss- and- ride points have made it clear that more is required.
Ease of use and safety are vital. Every person using Public Transport is one less car on the freeway and one less car parking in the City.
Now, let’s see some action.
Have your say by clicking on “Comments” below.
4 comments:
One great oversight in the planning and your blog is access by bicycle. Your comments regarding pedestrians are just as valid for the cycling commuter. The lack of planning to date also affects access by this conveyancy, and current facilities for bikes at the CB Station are woeful and discouraging both from the point of access and security of the bikes.
Before the Mandurah rail was built I remember making a submission warning then that Canning Bridge was a transport disaster waiting to happen with what was then being proposed. ‘Blind Freddy’ could see it. Small comfort in being proven so right when you have to live with the consequences. If John Citizen could see it then – there’s very little excuse for the so called 'experts' getting it so wrong; and now the cost to redeem will be hugely higher than if they got it right the first time – and guess whose money is being wasted fixing it up?
Let’s hope the lesson has been learnt and the full spectrum of needs of the public are considered before the big revamp; and not another costly, inefficient, wasteful re-visit required to again amend bad planning decisions.
I would be more confident of this if the oversight I raise here of a popular means of transport wasn’t so glaring an omission. The Transport Minister’s ‘promises’ ring hollow – we’ve heard it all before - and I seriously hope you will do your part in maintaining the pressure to ensure the Government honours any viable commitments made through to fruition. I’m sure you are aware that a lot of people are watching!
Great of you to provide this opportunity for comment Pete.
It's great that there is a more coordinated approach to planning in the wind. This may result in a consideration of the broader issues but unless a more collaborative and inclusive approach is used we are going to be revisitng this in a few years time with a new suite of issues.
Your comment that the engineers indicated that the bridge was meant to be "just a bus and train interchange" implies that the focus was on things and processes rather than people. I am not sure that things have changed that much in terms of approaches to planning. Experts still view the community with suspicion and are reluctant to engage with them.
In addition to a more coordinated approach to planning we need a more inclusive collaborative approach. The City of Melbourne used a wiki for a collaborative approach to planning. See http://bit.ly/bjbo6D
The Stirling Alliance is doing some great work it seems on collaborative approaches to planning which could be a bit of a model. See http://www.stirlingcitycentre.com.au/index.php?id=7
Hey here's a new word; combine coordinated with collaborative to get coolaborative :-)
Hi pete,
my name is Ebonnie Buckley and I am a journalism student at Curtin University. I was wondering if I would be able to ask you some questions regarding the Canning Bridge station?
Thanks,
ebonnie.
Anyone read page 21 of 17 May "west" by David Dale. Makes a hell of a lot of sense to me
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