Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council refuses to help fund a Pulteney Grammar-style footbridge over Hackney Rd, near St Peter’s College

A COUNCIL in Adelaide’s east is refusing to help pay for a Pulteney Grammar-style footbridge over Hackney Rd near a top private school to allow its students, as well as the general public, to safely cross.

Building a Pulteney Grammar School-style ­pedestrian bridge over Hackney Rd near St Peter’s College has been raised to improve safety for students as well as the general public.

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NORWOOD, Payneham & St Peters Council has refused to help pay for a footbridge over Hackney Rd, saying it was unfair for the State Government to force eastern ratepayers to foot part of the bill.

At a meeting last night, it was revealed the Transport Department had asked NP&SP and Adelaide City councils, as well as St Peter’s College, to contribute $1 million each toward building a bridge, which was estimated to cost between $7 and $8 million.

But councillors voted against dipping into ratepayers’ money to fund the bridge, which would link St Peter’s College and Botanic Park, and was aimed at addressing safety concerns associated with the O-Bahn tunnel project.

Despite the government’s O-Bahn upgrade not including a footbridge across Hackney Rd in its approved plans, the commission noted there was a “future need” for a bridge and designs had already been developed.

A council report, which was tabled at the meeting, stated the footbridge would help resolve issues including pedestrian and cyclist access and safety.

But it said the Transport Department should fund the building of it.

Cr Kevin Duke told the meeting the onus was on the State Government to provide safe pedestrian access.

“This problem has not been created by council, it has been created by the Transport Department,” Cr Duke said.

“They are responsible for ensuring people have access from one side to the other.”

Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Robert Bria agreed.

Mayor Robert Bria says it is unfair to ask his council to pay.

“Given the footbridge will be used by a whole range of people, and not necessarily from the local area, it is unfair to ask the ratepayers of Adelaide and NP&SP councils to contribute to the costs,” Mr Bria said.

“It seems odd the government has been able to stump up $160 million for the O-Bahn project, but can’t find extra for the footbridge.

“The issue of safety was always one of the issues the council raised in its discussions with the Transport Department … clearly a bridge is the safest option for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road.”

The East Torrens Messenger has contacted St Peter’s College and the Transport Department for comment.

The college first suggested building a Pulteney Grammar School-style ­pedestrian bridge over Hackney Rd to alleviate safety concerns associated with the O-Bahn tunnel project in August last year.

Adelaide City Council is yet to discuss the Transport Department’s funding request but is expected to do so next week.

The O-Bahn extension plan includes a new U-turn between North Tce and Plane Tree Drive, and a keep-clear zone for vehicles exiting Osborne St.

Motorists will also no longer be able to turn left from Dequetteville Tce to Rundle Rd, Rundle Rd to Dequetteville Tce, Botanic Rd to East Tce and Rundle Rd to East Tce.

The design, as it stands, also bans right-hand turns from Hackney Rd, between North Tce and Richmond St, Gilberton.

The Transport Department predicts removing O-Bahn buses from Hackney Rd will save commuters an average seven minutes travel time each day and motorists about four-and-a-half minutes.