Change the World > Metro Routes > 2. Metro Routes - Melbourne > Inner: Capital City Trail
Inner: Capital City Trail
The Capital City Trail does a 30km loop around the inner city, passing by the MCG, Tennis Centre, Telstra Dome, Hockey Centre and Royal Park.
It uses sections of the Main Yarra Trail, Merri Creek Trail, Moonee Ponds Creek Trail and Footscray Rd path.
Sections of the Capital City Trail need upgrading to make it a more practical and attractive transport and recreation option.
July 08 Good news on the Capital City Trail
Moreland is fixing up the approaches to the Lygon Street crossing.
Yarra has fixed up the eastern approach to Bowen Crescent and Princes Park. The path on the western side of Rushall Station has also been upgraded.
Mar08 Capital City Trail crossing Nicholson and Lygon Streets
The trail between Princes Park in the west and Rushall Station in the east is inside the boundary of the City of Yarra. To cross Lygon and Nicholson Streets the trail moves north into the City of Moreland. Both of these crossings are inadequate.
We have written to the City of Moreland as follows:
We are writing about the two sections of the Capital City Trail which are in the City of Moreland. These are the crossings of Lygon and Nicholson Streets.
Both crossings are poorly aligned. The crossings are also narrow, poorly surfaced and in many other ways inadequate.
We ask the City to improve the approaches to both the crossings.
We note that the City is tendering for the re-leasing of the Video Ezy store. We are disappointed that the revenue from the previous leases of the site has not been put into improving the trail.
We note that the Council's objective (4.4) in the lease document for the Video Ezy Store is to 'ensure that the existing shared bicycle and pedestrian path on land controlled by Council and the City of Yarra is realigned through the Premises in order to improve access from and egress to Nicholson Street Brunswick East for cyclists and pedestrians. We also note that the tender requires detailed plans and specifications for this (7.5.2).
We would appreciate a chance to comment on those plans. We are unsure if an adequate alignment can be achieved in the space between the east wall of the building and the crossing.
Council may be aware that City of Yarra is in discussions with Yarra Trams over a tram stop in that location. A combined tram stop and crossing solution is worth exploring and we ask that any works done by the City or its leasees fit in with such a plan.
What we are asking for
Priority projects include:
- Northbank redevelopment from Birrarung Marr to the Webb bridge. For more see our webpage on Northbank.
- Improved and more direct links from Yarra trail to the MCG and Yarra Park precinct.
- Constructing a bridge over Manningham St to eliminate road crossing and steps. City of Melbourne has drawn up concept plans for a bridge.
- Eliminating the Gipp St steps by realigning the Yarra Trail around the back of CUB brewery. City of Yarra have developed a feasibility plan. See our webpage on the 'Yarra Trail Gipps St to Walmer St'.
- Ensuring there is an alternative route during construction of the Convention Centre and that there are improved riding facilities once construction is complete.
- A direct bicycle underpass beneath Rushall station.
- A direct bicycle underpass under Footscray Road linking Moonee Ponds Creek.
Responsibility
A number of municipalities are responsible for the Capital City Trail. Clockwise from Punt Road at the Yarra.
City of Melbourne: From Punt Road along Northbank and Southbank to the Eel Trap bridge in Docklands to Footscray Road and the Moonee Ponds Creek path to Flemington Bridge Station to Bowen Crescent in Princes Park.
City of Yarra: from Bowen Crescent in Princes Park to Rushall Station. (Two short sections in Moreland at Lygon and Nicholson Streets.) From Rushall Station to Dights Falls to the Gipps Street Bridge.
City of Boroondara: from Gipps St Bridge to the Walmer Street Bridge.
City of Yarra: Walmer Street Bridge to Yarra Gardiners Bridge to MacRobertson Bridge.
City of Stonnington: South side - left bank from MacRobertson Bridge to Punt Road
City of Yarra: North side - right bank from MacRobertson Bridge to Punt Road.
