Cycleway
A PROPOSAL for a two-metre wide shared cycleway and footpath from Tamworth Community College to Tamworth hospital gained the support of Tamworth region councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Councillors endorsed a report tabled at the meeting which recommended council fund the $400,000 project on a dollar-for-dollar basis with Roads and Maritime Services.
It was also decided an extra $20,000 from council’s existing cycleway reserves in the 2012/2013 financial year be added to construct stage 1 of the project.
An additional $70,000 will also be allocated in the 2013/2014 Budget from existing cycleway reserves to stage 2 of the project.
The cycleway/footpath is proposed to follow a 1400m route from the community college along Peel St, to Tribe St and Johnston St to the hospital.
It includes the widening of existing 1.2m and 1.5m wide paths.
The report to council said the project will result in a great improvement to access and mobility for pedestrians as well as bicycle riders in the area.
“From a mobility point of view, the proposal will upgrade pram ramps on Jewry St and Piper St, which have been identified as an issue by the Tamworth Access Group,” it said.
“The project will also provide a pedestrian refuge for pedestrians crossing Manilla Rd between Marius and Tribe Sts and will assist with access to the medical centre from North Tamworth.”
Councillors were told on Tuesday night a workshop will be held later in the year to allow them to have input on the final design plan.
Each year, Roads and Maritime Services asked council to provide projects aimed at improving pedestrian access and mobility which may be considered for dollar-for-dollar funding under its Road Safety and Traffic Management Program.
The report to council explained how the shared cycleway and footpath project was nominated for funding because it was expected to result in the most benefits in respect to pedestrian access and mobility for the community.