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Thursday May 24, 2012

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No confusion, just 'stupid people'?

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 29 November, 2011 - 10:43 AM
Robert Doyle

The Lord Mayor concedes there has been confusion over the new tram stop in Swanston Street but he's blaming "stupid people".

The new $8 million stop outside the State Library is drawing criticsm with the footpath, and bike paths the same color - and texture - and not clearly marked.

Robert Doyle says it's not the designer's fault and people need to pay attention.

*Scroll down for Neil Mitchell's interview with the Lord Mayor*

MONDAY:

Jason Dowling, The Age: Melbourne has finally got Swanston Street right, according to lord mayor Robert Doyle.

The first stage of the long-awaited $25 million engineering solution to the thoroughfare's traffic woes will open today and Cr Doyle said "people will get a sense of really how grand Swanston Street can be".

"I think the people of Melbourne will be very proud of it and I think visitors will be amazed," he said.

The first stage of a $25 million overhaul opens today.

First stage of $25 million overhaul open. Photo: Mal Fairclough

He said the council had used the best possible materials.

"This is like paving the streets in gold — this is Bamstone, this is the best bluestone," he said.

The first stage of the makeover is a $7.8 million upgrade of the street between La Trobe and Little Lonsdale streets, in front of the State Library.

The makeover includes new lighting, a stormwater collection system to water nearby trees, tram stops that resemble mini city squares, and fewer vehicles using the street with increased priority given to trams, cyclists and pedestrians.

"It really does have a transformational effect. It doesn't feel like a street in front of the library, it feels like a town square," Cr Doyle said.

The project was delayed for five months by Transport Safety Victoria over concerns about the new tram stops and cyclists zooming past.

Cr Doyle said the relationship between cyclists and pedestrians on the new Swanston Street would depend on a "mixture of common sense and courtesy". He said the stone at the tram stops had also been made abrasive to act as a rumble strip for cyclists.

The thoroughfare has long frustrated city planners with its hybrid mix of operating as a sometimes car-free mall, but allowing buses, taxis and delivery vans.

"I think we have got it right this time. It is not about bells and whistles, it is about simple things and minimalism," Cr Doyle said. "The clutter that was there has been taken away and it has made a much more elegant and simple solution using the best materials and thinking about the use of the street, public transport, pedestrians and bicycles."

Cr Doyle was elected to the council after promising to open up Swanston Street to traffic in 2008. He said traders would be delighted the work on the first stage has been completed.

PLAY: Robert Doyle speaks to Neil Mitchell

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Blog comments Your Say

  • Doyle went on about how hard it is to manage pedestrians, bikes, trams and cars in the 'Walk". He still can't understand the basic principal of a 'walk' - no cars, no trams and no bikes. It's not rocket science, make it pedestrian only like every other 'walk' in the world. Grow some and tell Yarra Trams where to go, dont bow down to the loony lycra mob and encourage businesses to adopt green delivery options. Then we will have something worth talking about, what we have at the moment is a mess.

    Rodney Wednesday 30 November, 2011 - 11:01 AM

  • Everything Robert Doyle touches turns out to be a disaster. The weakest link - Goodbye!!

    Pam B Wednesday 30 November, 2011 - 10:40 AM

  • THE PEOPLE OF MELBOURNE WOULD LIKE THERE TAX PAYING MONEY BACK ON THE BLUNDERS YOU HAVE CAUSED.....USELESS DOYLE...DO NOT APPLY FOR THE JOB AGAIN.

    KEN Wednesday 30 November, 2011 - 8:03 AM

  • THE ONLY STUPID PEOPLE IS SITTING ON THE MELBOURNE CITY COUNCIL..REALLY COULD NOT ORGANIZE A CHOOK RAFFLE...OH AND WHAT ABOUT THE OBSERVATION WHEEL...WHAT A BLUNDER THAT IS AS WELL..ARE THE PEOPLE OF MELB STUPID FOR THAT AS WELL...GET OUT DOYLE..YOU ARE NOT WORTH A BUMPER.

    KEN Wednesday 30 November, 2011 - 8:01 AM

  • I was at the new Swanston St tram stop today. Bikes whizzing everywhere. People standing on the bike track. Rightly so as there is very little space for them to stand anywhere else. Man in a motorized wheelchair wondering where to go. This is not a matter of people learning the ropes. This is a fundamentally unsafe design. If there isnâ??t a serious accident there I will eat my hat.

    G Ryan Tuesday 29 November, 2011 - 8:00 PM

  • Doyle's arrogance is truly amazing. He is never wrong (in his view) and would argue black is white if it suited his position. Even the Liberal Party ultimately recognised this man's public appeal and gave him the flick.

    Rob of Kensington Tuesday 29 November, 2011 - 6:07 PM

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