Carpark boss says tram project traffic delays caused by Labor politics before March election
TRADERS were not consulted over a key plank of the North Tce tram extension works and have become “victims of political objectives”, the manager of Adelaide’s biggest car park operator says.
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TRADERS were not consulted over a key plank of the North Tce tram extension works and have become “victims of political objectives”, the manager of Adelaide’s biggest car park operator says.
Wilson Parking state manager Jake Hill-Evans said he believed the tram works were among a number of Adelaide projects timed to conclude in time for the March 17 state election.
He said the political motivation meant works were being scheduled around the clock, rather than overnight and then cleared in time for morning peak hour traffic.
“The consensus with the other city retailers as well, and I can’t speak for them, but the managers and everyone I have talked to agree that we are the victims of political objectives,’’ said Mr Hill-Evans, whose company runs two car parks on North Tce.
He said unlike other tram works, which had been negotiated with traders well in advance, a key plank of the work over the next three weeks had been sprung as a surprise.
He said traders had only been told of some additional works last Friday, which had caused the closure of North Tce to one lane each way for three weeks.
“We had no understanding from the Transport Department of what the SA Power Networks works would be and we have had no opportunity to come to a mutually beneficial arrangements,’’ Mr Hill-Evans said.
SA Power Networks are making modifications along North Tce, including upgrading the covers of five existing high voltage powerline pits, that will restrict traffic to one lane between Frome St and Gawler Place until January 25.
Opposition transport spokesman David Pisoni described a failure to consult affected traders about those works as deplorable.
“From axing the right turn into North Tce to keeping people in the dark the Weatherill Government has repeatedly failed to get the basics right,” he said.
“Genuine consultation is an important component of proper planning and both have been woefully absent during this project.”
Workers returning to the CBD on Tuesday following the Christmas break were met with confusion as they tried to navigate public transport changes and road closures that turned King William St into a carpark during peak hour.
As the tram from Glenelg terminated at Victoria Square, most commuters decided to walk to their workplaces in the north of the city instead of taking substitute buses — some ferrying just two passengers between stops.
The State Government has denied numerous traffic works currently underway in SA are being rushed so they can be completed by March.
A spokeswoman said on Tuesday there had to be a continuous flow of work schedules.
“Some are due for completion before March, but many projects will not be completed until the 2018/19 financial year,’’ she said.