Little action on plan to realign Springbank, Daws, Goodwood roads
AN AMBITIOUS plan to realign Springbank and Daws roads has progressed very little in the 12 months since it was announced, leaving a local business identity in limbo.
- Peter Van the Party Man worried business won’t survive realignment
- Dog-leg “dog’s breakfast” intersection to be abolished
AN AMBITIOUS plan to realign Springbank and Daws roads has progressed very little in the 12 months since it was announced, leaving a local business identity in limbo.
The Transport Department last week confirmed the project was still in the “planning and design phase” of the project, and that “key elements” were being reviewed.
But business owner Mark Van – whose well-known Peter Van the Party Man store on the corner of Springbank and Goodwood roads was marked for compulsory acquisition as part of the realignment – said he had received very little communication from the government.
He understood a project officer had been appointed shortly before the March state election, but requests for information had since gone unanswered.
“I’m in a bit of limbo because I don’t know what’s going on,” Mr Van said.
“I have nothing in writing. The last thing I heard was they announced in the budget they were going to have the realignment and I’ve heard nothing since.”
He said he wanted clarity from the government because he “just wanted to get on with life”.
Mr Van first raised concerns about the project last year, believing it would make it difficult for trucks to enter his property.
In December, he called on the government to help him purchase a disused block on the corner of South and Daws roads so he could relocate.
However, a development application had since been lodged by Peregrine Corporation to build two fast food outlets on that land.
Panorama Clapham Community Group spokesman Neil Baron believed the availability of land had been the biggest issue to hold up the project.
He said Bedford Industries – which operated on land directly opposite the intersection of Daws Rd – was a “major stumbling block”.
“I think the biggest problem is that until they get that land sorted, they really can’t do anything,” Mr Baron said.
“I had heard at an open planning day Mitcham had that (Bedford) do want to move.”
He said recent works on Springbank Rd had done little to alleviate traffic concerns and most residents were driving through Colonel Light Gardens or doing U-turns to avoid the intersection.
He was also concerned that increased traffic coming from South Rd after the completion of the Darlington project would further exacerbate the bottleneck.
Government designs show Springbank Rd being diverted south – taking up a quarter of the Bedford block – towards Daws Rd.
The cost of the project has been estimated at $30 million.
A plan for the future of the Daws and Goodwood roads precinct, recently developed by Mitcham Council, showed the intersection realignment as a priority.