Mentone shopping strip revamp causing traffic headaches

Traders at a tired Mentone shopping strip being transformed into a European-inspired piazza say heavy roadwork has made the area a “concrete jungle” which is costing them customers and thousands of dollars.

Holger Schinz from Sunbeam Cakes, butcher Paul Beaumont and baker Bill Fuller say their businesses are losing thousands of dollars during the shopping strip revamp. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Mentone traders say the revamp of the shopping precinct has cost them thousands of dollars, with workers now pleading to the council to make the roads more accessible.

Almost five years after the original announcement, work on a major revamp of the ailing Mentone shopping precinct to become a European-inspired piazza has been underway.

But, traffic conditions have been affected as a result of the excavations on Mentone Pde, between Florence St and Como Parade West.

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Paul Beaumont, who owns Morris Meats on Mentone Pde, said he had dropped 150 customers per week since the council started the works.

“The roads are structured poorly and they need to fix these urgently. There’s no right turn into Mentone Pde from Florence St and only buses can go through it — meaning customers can’t actually access Mentone Pde,” Mr Beaumont said.

“It’s also been really dangerous for pedestrians to cross Florence St without almost being hit by a car.”

Traders say the roadwork is poorly planned and makes the area dangerous for pedestrians. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Bayside Sweets and Treats owner Joe Salanitri said his business had lost thousands of dollars since works on the piazza started.

“I’ve lost about $5000 a month since works started and other businesses are feeling affected too,” Mr Salanitri said.

“It’s become a concrete jungle — there have been near accidents and it’s going to be an absolute nightmare when school starts.”

To add to traders’ concerns, works on the level crossing removal at Balcombe Rd will also begin mid-year.

This will coincide with the removal of the crossings at nearby Park and Charman roads in Cheltenham, with works to be completed by 2020.

Level Crossing Removal Project southern program project director Adam Maguire said Mentone was going to have a busy year and he thanked residents and traders for their patience during construction.

“When construction starts in the middle of the year we will be encouraging our work crews and the community to support traders and shop local,” Mr Maguire said.

Business owners are begging the council to make the roads more accessible. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Sandringham Liberal MP Brad Rowswell said the State Government and the council had failed in their duty to consult with and listen to local traders about disruptions in the area.

“Having listened first hand to the concerns of these traders I find it shocking that some are ready to close their doors with many traders reporting a loss of more than 30 per cent in revenue,” Mr Rowswell said.

“The lack of consultation is a slap in the face to hardworking small businesses who are the lifeblood of the Mentone shopping precinct.”

Kingston Council general manager planning and development Jonathan Guttmann said works on the piazza were on track for completion mid-year.

“While traders were directly impacted by footpath works, these works were undertaken in sections between January and March to minimise disruption, with footpath trading back up and running by mid-March,” Mr Guttmann said.

“The current works being undertaken are contained within the triangle site and are not

disturbing any pedestrian access or footpath trade.”