Council to debate vehicle access to path after community voices opposition

MORE than 400 people have signed a petition calling on Moreland Council to re-evaluate a plan to allow cars down a Sydney Rd laneway, just metres from pedestrians and businesses.

A LANEWAY off Sydney Rd could have cars passing within metres of pedestrians and businesses if a Moreland Council plan to allow vehicle access is approved.

Businesses on the northern side of Page St, Coburg, will open their doors within 2m of the traffic, without any safety barriers, should the plan go ahead.

Traffic would flow one way from Sydney Rd with a speed limit set at 10km/h.

THE DARK PAST OF MELBOURNE’S LANEWAYS

MORELAND COUNCIL’S CONTROVERSIAL LOCAL LAW CHANGES

A petition, started by Coburg residents Sophia Handris and Anthony Taranto, calling for a rethink on the plan drew more than 400 signatures.

The council then delayed opening the road to vehicles and instead will debate the matter at its August meeting.

“It is dangerous for a car to be travelling down here, they need some sort of barrier in between the cars and the footpath,” Ms Handris said.

The former road was sectioned off in late 2017 and paved, with plants and seats installed on the southern side, with an allowance for a pedestrian walkway.

Ms Handris said the TAB on that side of the laneway did not offer pedestrian entry from there and the plants should have been placed on the opposite side as a barrier for people using the businesses.

Multiple pedestrians voiced their preference for the laneway to remain pedestrian-only when approached by the Leader.

The council’s planning and economic development director Kirsten Coster said bollards and a raised footpath were “not considered necessary” given the 10km/h speed limit.

But owner of Victoria Nails in the laneway, Thi Nguyen, said safety barriers were needed as her front door opened onto a blind spot and customers were unable to view potential oncoming traffic.

“I wouldn’t forgive myself if a child ran out there and was hit by a car,” she said.

Ms Handris said people could continue to sign the petition at businesses in and around the lane.