Unley Council $6m upgrade: Pavers or bitumen on King William Rd?

RESIDENTS and traders will finally be able to have their say on an upgrade on King William Rd — including road surface options for the popular strip.

Retailer Lou Hewitson from Denim Inequity wants more parking and greenery along the strip. Picture: AAP/Russell Millard

• King William Rd pavers to be pulled up — 32 years after they were installed

PAVERS or bitumen? That is the question residents and traders will finally be able to have their say on, as Unley Council releases preliminary plans for the future of King William Rd.

The council last week unveiled plans for a $6 million upgrade of the retail and dining strip, including options for a new road surface.

The street’s landmark pavers — laid in 1985 — could be replaced with more of the same, with bitumen, or with a hybrid model which would involve bitumising the majority of the road but retaining pavers at intersections.

According to the council’s plans, repaving the road would retain its “unique and distinct character”, but would have the longest construction time and “cause the most disruption”.

The mixed option would have a “moderate” construction time frame and reduce road noise.

The new plans also covered the road surrounds, including parking, trees and pedestrian access.

Unley Council general manager of city development John Devine said consultation had so far found people wanted safer crossings and more greenery while maintaining the road’s character.

“From our discussions to date with the community, we know a paved road surface is important to the precinct’s identity, as is the importance on resurfacing the road as quickly as possible,” Mr Devine said.

Lou Hewitson of Denim Inequity agreed parking should be improved, along with more trees.

“It will be a lovely, up-market sort of community hub and I’m excited by that,” Mrs Hewitson said.

“I’d love to provide more shade for a cool and green environment.”

Unley Council first seriously discussed the need to rip up and replace King William Rd’s pavers in 2015, saying at the time they were “nearing the end of their effective life”.

But as far back as 2004, people were calling for the pavers to be removed, saying they were too noisy.

“The experience on foot is less pleasant than it could be, largely because of traffic noise, difficulty in crossing the street and pinched footpath widths,” a consultant’s report said at the time.

About 28,000 pavers were laid on King William Rd from 1985 to 1987, forming the longest paved road of its kind in Australia.

The plans are currently on display at the Design King William Rd shopfront at 183 King William Rd, Hyde Park.