East: Yarra Trail at Chandler Highway
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Getting the Main Yarra Trail to cross or go under the Chandler Highway is a difficult project. To stay up with the latest click on email me updates to the right.
Trail closed without consultation.
Jun 07 The rough trail that bypasses the steps on the Main Yarra Trail near the Chandler Highway has been permanently closed by Parks Victoria. This is extremely disappointing as there is now no direct and accessible way for riders to get across or under the Chandler Highway.
Bicycle Victoria was made aware earlier this year that Parks Victoria intended to close the bypass trail. We informed Parks Victoria that an alternative would need to be found before the bypass trail could be closed. To us it is obvious that riders will either form a new trail to bypass the steps or risk the busy and dangerous crossing of Chandler Highway.
It is very disappointing that Parks Victoria closed the trail without informing or consulting bike riders. We have expressed our frustration to Parks Victoria and are waiting for a reply.
The way forward is to identify a feasible alternative solution, which needs to be implemented as soon as possible. The current situation of pushing riders to the steps or across Chandler Highway is unacceptable and dangerous.
One short term solution could be to move the existing pedestrian traffic lights to where riders are currently risking crossing at the busy intersection of Chandler Highway and Kew Boulevard. In the long term a suitable trail needs to be built underneath the Chandler Highway that removes the need for the current steep staircase on the trail.
Yarra Bend Park (Parks Victoria)
Jun 06 The design process is well underway for a new the alignment of the trail that will by-pass the existing steps and dangerous windy steep sections of trail. Bicycle Victoria is happy with the concept design that has been proposed by the project team. More detailed design works are now being undertaken.
Burke Rd to Yarra Bend Park (City of Boroondara)
Dec 05 A new high quality trail has been constructed linking the Main Yarra Trail to the eastern side of the Chandler Highway. The new trail runs along side the Guide Dogs Victoria property. Congratulations to Boroondara BUG who worked with the council in designing the new section of trail. Unfortunately though, users of the main yarra Trail still have to negotiate a steep staircase to the west of the Chandler Highway in Yarra Bend Park (see below). The section of trail between Willow Grove and Belford Road have also been greatly improved.
Oct 05 Design funding announced. After Bicycle Victoria members wrote over 500 letters earlier this year, Minister Thwaites has announced a new fund for the Metropolitan Trail Network (MTN). Funding for the MTN now meets the state government’s 2002 election promise; however more money will be needed to fund critical projects.
The new fund will provide $25,000 towards the design of a new alignment of the Main Yarra Trail in Yarra Bend Park, as an alternative to steps to the west of the Chandler Highway.While the funding of the design is a commendable step, current government funding will not be able to build this project in the near future. A commitment of significant additional funding will be required within the next year. We believe that increasing the Metropolitan Trail Network annual funding to five million dollars could deliver this and other important projects on the trail network.
May 05 Bicycle Victoria met on site with Boroondara BUG and Parks Victoria to see how the steps at Chandler Hwy can be eliminated and the connection to the pipe bridge over the Yarra River be improved.
It was agreed at the site meeting that a gentler sloped ramps should be installed that comes out at the Boulevard further up the hill. The existing temporary ramp is a former goat track which does not follow the best alignment.
Formalising and sealing an existing dirt track leading from the Boulevard down to the pipeline bridge would eliminate the climb to the top of the hill and the switchback path down to the pipe bridge.
The park is managed by Parks Victoria on behalf of the Yarra Bend Park Trust. Park rangers have prepared a brief for the design of works from Chandler Hwy to the pipeline bridge.
For more see Boroondara BUG website.
Bicycle Victoria also suggested line marking to help people follow the Main Yarra Trail through Yarra Bend Park.
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