PortBUG: The Port Adelaide Bicycle User Group.

Last week PortBUG held it’s first meeting for the year. Over 2023 we found it quite difficult to get together due to illness & life’s many other commitments. Over 2024 we have agreed to reduce our meeting frequency with get-togethers every 2 months. Hopefully this will allow us to meet a bit more consistently.

It’s worth noting that the 5 members of your current BUG Coordinating Group are all getting older & to be frank, representing the case for Active Transport gets a little more challenging with each passing year. However we are all very fortunate to have an interested & engaged Council & there many opportunities remain to improve the walking & cycling environment across the Council area!

So you are interested in seeing the positive impact of the PortBUG continue & would like to get a bit more involved, your participation as a Coordinating Group member would be most welcome – contact the Secretary at portadbug@gmail.com

We discussed a wide range of issues at our initial May meeting, including:

1. New Salisbury Bicycle User Group: We had an opportunity to hear from Ash Baxter from the newly formed Salisbury BUG. The PortBUG welcomes this opportunity for working collaboratively with its counterpart in Salisbury! 

2. Updated Semaphore Foreshore Plan: Liz Millington reports that a number of issues regarding some obvious train/bike & bike/pedestrian conflicts & safety in the initial plan have now been resolved. Council’s Community Consultation Survey is live until Sunday May 19th. The BUG encourages members to review the revised Plan as well as the FAQ’s & then complete the Survey prior to that date.

There will be a Final Drop-In Session to chat with the project team at the Semaphore BBQ Shelter on Wed 15th May; 4-5.30pm. 

3. Update – Port Dock Rail Station Project: Members will have noted the obvious impact this project has had on the Outer Harbour Greenway. Tony Bazely is currently the BUG’s rep to this project & reported on progress with the upgraded pathway over the Red Hill Bridge (between the Grand Junction Rd bike/ped. tunnel & Lipson St) & other related issues. The project is scheduled for completion in July.

4. Recent Greenway Ride with PAE Staff: PAE Council intend reviewing PAE’s section of the Outer Harbour Greenway. How this review will occur is still a little unclear, but BUG members recently went on an initial survey & familiarisation ride with staff from Fussell St, Alberton all the way to Outer Harbour.

Issues discussed included opportunities to improve the Greenway’s route from Buller Trc through to Russell St, Rosewater & potential for an additional route option nearby on the southern side of the rail line. Similar possibilities for improvement were discussed for the Waterfront Precinct and at the northern end of the Greenway. We’ll keep BUG community updated re. this review.

5. Largs Bay LATM: Council will conduct a Local Area Traffic Management plan for Largs Bay. Ann Douglas will represent the BUG in this LATM, but Council will also call for representation from local residents. We’d encourage residents of Largs Bay to nominate to the working group to ensure that walking & cycling issues are adequately represented.

6. E-Bike Adoption Subsidies: The BUG has noted that both Adelaide City Council& the City of Holdfast Bay now offer subsidies for people wanting to purchase & use an e-bike as car-replacement. The BUG will raise this possibility with PAE Council as well. 

Ongoing BUG Meeting Schedule: Future BUG meetings will be held bi- monthly (that is, 5 times per year) with the next meeting being in July. Please let our Secretary know if you are interested in attending.

Hi Folks, Your help is requested!

PA/E Council are undertaking final design for enhanced bike lanes along Folland Avenue, Northgate/Lightsview. The intent is to install a line-marked buffer between the existing on-road cycle lanes and the vehicle travel lanes (see example below).

Most of Folland Ave has no central median so there is sufficient width for a 1.5m bike lane with the proposed buffer strip and a motoring lane. However, between Dumfries Avenue & Fosters Road a centre median is present which limits the carriageway width to 5.0m for each direction. 

The current arrangement in this section is a 1.5m bike lane and a 3.5m travel lane. If Council continue the buffer lane through this section they would need to narrow the bike lane slightly to 1.3m with a 0.4m buffer strip and a 3.3m travel lane (the 3.3m travel lane is required by DIT for bus routes). 

Council are seeking feedback on which would be the better outcome for this section of Folland Ave – the existing arrangement of a 1.5m bike lane & 3.5m travel lane (ie; without a buffer lane) or a slightly narrower bike lane (1.3m) with a 0.4m continuous buffer. See below for draft layouts for these 2 road treatment options.

Please let us know what you think via email at portadbug@gmail.com by this coming Friday 23rd Feb (if you are on facebook you can already read some interesting comments from members at our f/b BUG Forum at https://www.facebook.com/groups/portadbug/.

PORT DOCK RAIL STATION PROJECT.

Landscaping – Community Drop-in Session

As part of the Port Dock Rail Station & Line Extension Project, new landscaped areas will be created to offset the vegetation removed and to enhance local amenity.

The PTP Alliance invites the community to meet members of the project team, to view the project’s landscaping plans & planting schedule and to ask questions about the project.

Where: A Community Drop-in Session will be held at the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Town Hall, at the corner of Nile Street and Commercial Road, Port Adelaide SA 5015.

Access to the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Town Hall is available via Nile Street or via Commercial Road. Ramp access is provided at the Commercial Road entrance.

When: Saturday, 3 February 2024, anytime between 10am and 12pm.

More Information: https://ptpa.com.au/resources/news/landscaping-community-drop-in-sessions

Readers will be aware of the Port Dock Rail Project & its impact on the Outer Harbour Greenway route as outlined in previous posts. As a reminder, the proposed final layout for new cycling & walking routes are shown below.

PortBUG has continued to meet with the Project & we have now been provided with a map (see below) illustrating the recommended temporary detour routes for Outer Harbor Greenway users (both pedestrians & cyclists) over the course of the project.

There will be two temporary routes available around the project:

1. Via Henry St, Rosewater, across the Glanville Rail Reserve to Bedford, Brock, Barlow & Baker Streets &…
2. Via the existing ramp & footpath route over the Redhill Bridge & thence to Lipson Street.

Note that the Project envisages that:

• cyclists may prefer to use the east-side footpaths on Lipson St (& certainly in the vicinity of the St Vincent St corner)
• cyclists will use the footpaths along St Vincent Street (green dashed line) adjacent to the Police Station & Magistrate’s Court & across the road between Timpson St & Lipson Street (blue dashed line).
• the current crossing point on St Vincent St at the end of Lipson St will be retained.

Also note that:

• a new recommended Greenway route through the Waterfront Precinct remains under discussion with PAE Council – probably along Divett/Nile Streets or McLaren/North Parades.
• the final Port Dock Project plan will see a two-stage crossing on St Vincent St between Baker & Todd Streets
• the ramps & elevated footpath over the Redhill Bridge will be rebuilt as part of the Project. The purple dashed line along Commercial Rd represents (we believe) a possible footpath route that might be taken when this rebuilding takes place (see previous posts for details). Note that rather than proceed back to the Lipson St corner, cyclists may prefer to simply cross St Vincent St at the pedestrian lights (St Vincent St/Commercial Rd corner) to Light House Square!

With regard to timelines & signage the Project tells us that ‘The plan is to have all detour signage in place by Thursday, 9 November 2023‘… & ‘ It will be a soft start as the Lipson Street entrance that runs across the rail line to the SA Aviation Museum will be open for a couple of weeks. However there will be construction activity around here and traffic controllers on site will encourage pedestrians and cyclist to use the detours.’ It is believed that the Project will run to about June 2024.

The BUG has requested that entry points to the Project be provided with larger signs with detailed maps illustrating the routes available as well as key destinations, with other directional signs provided at ‘decision points’ along the way.

The Project is keen to ensure that these detours work as well as they can & invites your feedback, either via PortBUG (comments below or our Facebook forum or portadbug@gmail.com) or at the Project’s contacts below:

Ph: 1300 705 992

E: portdockrailway@ptpa.com.au

Port-Dock Rail Station Project – September Update (21/9/23).

1. Background: PortBUG has had several meetings with the Port Dock Project Team over the last few months. The Outer Harbor Greenway passes directly through the area covered by the project’s. A number of local cycling & pedestrian routes between residential locations & Port Adelaide’s CBD (with its shopping, civic & service centres) were also directly affected by the project. 

Our initial agenda in attending these meetings was to identify key issues that the design of the project raised for the main users of the Outer Harbour Greenway (which passes through the project area) –  local & commuting cyclists & pedestrians – and for local residents. In subsequent meetings we have acknowledged issues that are (to use the project’s terminology) ‘out of scope’ & sought to make the best of all possible outcomes for all involved – including the prospective users of the new rail station! 

Joint meetings have included representatives from PortBUG, BicycleSA & the PAE Council, although more recently the project team has been meeting with stakeholders separately. This update attempts to capture issues discussed (& in some cases resolved) over the last 2 meetings in September. 

2. Closure of the Greenway’s Rail-Crossing & Lipson St Access: This closure was our major initial concern. The project indicated that this closure was consistent with current Government & Ministerial policy regarding the ‘minimisation of level crossings’ at every opportunity. Project staff also stated clearly that any replacement of the current ‘passive’ at-grade crossing with a suitable alternative – an ‘active’ or ‘automatic’ (servo-controlled & gated) crossing or even a bridge) – was out-of-scope, both in terms of project outcomes & the funding available. 

There are a number of significant impacts that the crossing closure will have for all users of both the Greenway & local access routes. Greenway users will in future be routed to the North (Birkenhead Bridge Bikeway) & the west (Jervois Bridge Bikeway) via Barlow, Baker & Todd Streets, with an exact route through the Waterfront yet to be determined. 

The PortBUG has a number of reservations re this outcome & has set the issue aside for possible resolution at a future date. Pathway users – previously able to directly access the Port CBD areas from Lipson Street via a number of routes across Commercial Road – will now be routed:

• some distance to the south over the Red Hill Bridge (Grand Junction Road) on the southern edge of the project area & connecting to the southern end of Lipson St, or… 
• around the northern end of the rail track extension through the new Station Precinct & joining Lipson Street at the entrance/exits of the newly renovated Bus Interchange (currently often referred to as the ‘Rail Museum Car Park’). 

Greenway users proceeding to the north & west will be able to continue on over a new passive crossing arrangement on St Vincent Street (see below) & a route through the Waterfront, yet to be formally determined. They will also be able to gain more direct access to the Port River Expressway via the Gillman Rail Reserve pathways (or Bedford Street) & the Perkins Drive Bikeway, & via Wauwa Street & associated pathway linkages (discussed but yet to be established). 

Currently, while the passive rail crossing & dedicated access point on Lipson Street have now been permanently closed, a temporary crossing & access point along the Aviation Museum access roadway will remain open until the end of October (see timeline outlined below).

3. Cyclist Access & Refuges at the St Vincent St Crossing:  The median refuges & hand/standing rails have been confirmed. Planning is still discussing options for kerb-side standing zones with Council. It’s complicated by the need to maintain ‘through’ bike lanes & a disabled car park outside the Law Courts (where the crossing is located). There is a standing or waiting area planned for the northern side of St Vincent St – it’s only the south side that is at question. 

4. New Lighting on Barlow St: Need for 3 new luminaires has been identified. The project will discuss this with Council for their lighting program later this year.

5. Grand Junction Road/Red Hill Bridge Ramp & Pathway Upgrades:  Confirmed that:

• a new section of the ascending ramp (adjacent to the exit from the tunnel under GJRd) will be built to improve grades & alignment. A new section of hand rail will be installed.
• the ascending & descending pedestrian/bike ramps at each end of the Red Hill Bridge will be resurfaced & improved with the current lighting poles relocated & possibly new hand rails installed. 
• The pathway resurfacing on the ramps may facilitate some widening of the pathways – yet to be determined.
• a redesigned junction of the descending pathway at the end of Lipson St is currently being discussed with a view to improving access & safety & to assist pedestrian/cyclist separation.
• For future discussion – more effective street lighting at this point.

6. Temporary & Permanent Signage Installation: Considerable time was spent discussing the need for signage around the Project. The Project Team will install temporary signage at several ‘decision’ points around the project & reflecting the different stages of the Project as it develops. Permanent OHG & other signage will be installed as the routes become clearer or are finalised. The Team have undertaken to produce a Plan indicating sign location asap.

7. OHG Route through the Waterfront Precinct: For many years, the ‘formally’ designated route has followed the original DIT plan, along the Wharf. As most OHG users will know, this route is impractical & unnecessarily hazardous most of the time (indirect, blind corners, poor surfaces, many obstructions & a crowded cycling space). Most users proceed along the Divett/Nile Street or McLaren/North Parade routes. The PortBUG will be asking Council to resolve the question of a ‘designated route’ asap as it will determine the locations of permanent OHG signage.

8. Pedestrian Access – Lipson Street Crossing Adjacent to Bus Interchange: The BUG had expressed concerns that no provision was made in the original upgrade plans for the increased numbers of pedestrians we anticipated would be crossing Lipson St to access the new rail station, particularly at ‘commuter times’. The area we were concerned about is directly adjacent to the 2 entrance/exit roadways in the Bus Interchange/car park area. They are relatively close to the St Vincent St corner & to the entrance to the adjacent SAPOL car park. A concept plan for an improved passive pedestrian crossing arrangement is currently under discussion with Council. The idea would be to provide 2 designated crossing points (with kerbside protuberances & standing zones) with some questions remaining about need for lighting. 

9. Timelines: More detail regarding the Project’s timelines is being sought – the current temporary redirection of the OHG through the Project’s work area is likely to change at the end of October with Greenway users redirected to 2 options – the route over the Redhill Bridge to the southern end of Lipson St or via a somewhat longer route from Edith &/or Henry Streets (see below), over the eastern end of the Gillman Reserve to Bedford St, thence to Bower, Barlow, Baker etc. 

PortBUG will write to Council shortly about a number of issues mentioned above & will be meeting again with the Port Dock Project Team in October. 

Sam Powrie, Secretary, PortBUG.

1. John Fullbrook MP, Bike Networks & Sals BUG ‘Renewed’?  

Recently PortBUG met with John Fullbrook, MP for Playford (part of Salisbury). John is an interesting fellow with a diverse career & is a resident of Mawson Lakes.  He expressed some frustration that there was apparently no active Salisbury Bicycle User Group capable of driving, guiding & promoting the development of cycling infrastructure across the Salisbury Council Area. He wanted to learn from us how the development of such a ‘renewed’ Sals BUG might best be achieved & was quite keen to support is any way he can!

PortBUG discussed some of the key issues in forming & successfully operating a BUG (see here). We talked about the potential for bicycle transport in addressing issues such as social & transport equity & economic resilience, and of the central importance of off-roof bikeways & their connectivity & continuity.

 The long & short of it is that John:

• is very keen to support the development of an active & independent BUG, perhaps similar to PortBUG
• is keen to see operational linkages between a SalsBUG & PortBUG, particularly around the continuing development of inter-suburban routes such as the Port River Bikeway (including the notoriously dangerous underpass at Barker Inlet), the Gawler Greenway & elsewhere.

PortBUG indicated we would – in general terms – be happy to support the further development of an active SalsBUG & the Salisbury Bicycle Network, particularly where linkages to & continuity with the PAE Bike Network were involved. We pointed out that the new bikeway facilities that connect Salisbury, Mawson Lakes & points north to the Adelaide CBD & related suburbs already carry quite significant numbers of bicycle commuters as well as quite a number of recreational riders every day. 

PortBUG undertook to try to contact those who are currently using these routes (many are likely to be on our Blog & Facebook groups) & refer them to John’s office. So if you are interested in talking with John about a SalisburyBUG &/or working on improvements to the Salisbury Bike Network, he can be contacted at: P: 8250 7234, E: playford@parliament.sa.gov.au.

PortBUG indicated that we’d be happy to collaborate in any way that we can.

2. Port Dock Rail Station Project – Update: On Friday 11^th August PortBUG met with the Port Dock Project Team for a discussion of key issues & a site walkover. Reps from BikeAdelaide & PAE Council were also there. 

We were reasonably impressed with the extent to which the project team has responded to concerns previously expressed. They have of course been unable to address our key issue – maintaining the at-grade crossing for the Greenway & direct access to Lipson St – but they have certainly taken a hard look at other possibilities to improve their initial approach, notably:

• accepting need to plan a pedestrian crossing on Lipson St adjacent to the entrance & exit ramps of the bus interchange & railway precinct
• design & construction of an effective bicycle crossing on St Vincent St, connecting Lipson St to Todd St
• reprioritising of the Bower/Baker St junction to facilitate a more direct Greenway cycling route
• creation of better lighting & corner alignments along these streets & links through the rail precinct
• significant potential to improve the ramp ways & pathway up, over & down the Red Hill Bridge – the project cannot do much (if anything) to improve the steep inclines, but it does appear that there may be capacity to widen the rampways towards each end of this section. 

Also discussed were some broad aspects of work scheduled for the next few months. The various closures, redirections & short-term projects were too numerous to discuss here but in broad terms:

• the primary Greenway redirections are now in place
• as it stands, current redirections will be in place until mid-October (including a new temporary at-grade crossing where the access roadway for the Aviation Museum was previously located)
• there will then be a next stage of Greenway realignment for approx 7 months (ie; to around July 2024), probably providing dual Greenway routes – one over the Red Hill Bridge (& likely best suited to pedestrians visiting the PA CBD) & another skirting the entire project, starting on Russel St, Rosewater & proceeding around the eastern margins of the Gillman Rail Reserve to Bedford St.

The project has provided maps of detours applying over next few weeks (until around October) & the project’s proposed final site plan (see above). Both are also available at the ptpa’s website: https://ptpa.com.au/projects/port-dock-railway-line:

• current detour plan available from here
• site plan available here 

Note: Don’t take too notice of the projected Greenway route along the waterfront Ifar LHS of the Site Plan above) – we’ve had extensive discussions with Council about a more sensible route (along Nile/Divett Streets or North/McLaren Parades).

PortBUG is meeting with the project team again next week when we expect to see confirmed drawings or the project.

Coast Park Stage One – Semaphore Park to West Lakes Shore.

Construction of Stage One of Coast Park (located between Third Avenue, Semaphore Park and the northern edge of the Wara Wayingga-Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve at West Lakes Shore) will begin on Wednesday 17 May 2023. Work is expected to be complete in late 2023, weather permitting.

A site office has been established at Mirani Court and this compound will be used for the duration of the project. Site access will be via Mirani Court, Sandpiper Place and Third Avenue.

More at: https://dit.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/road_projects/coast_park

From DIT: Coast Park ‘Stage Two’ – Tennyson to Grange.

Following on from the establishment of the Linear Park, Grange-to-Tennyson, the project team has developed a preliminary design for the Coast Park Stage Two Pathway. 

Visit the Plan SA link for the latest News update and to view the preliminary design (currently being progressed). 

Industrial Design student Victoria Aceiro has asked for assistance in completing her Masters degree research – see attached note & Mail Chimp survey link. You may like to help her out…

“Hi everyone! I was wondering if you could help me out by doing this short survey which aims to gather information about individuals’ use of bicycles and their perceptions of bicycle safety when leaving their bikes parked. The results of this survey will aid in the research and design of parking facilities and help improve future bicycle infrastructure.

Thanks for your help! Vic Aceiro.”

https://us21.list-manage.com/survey…

Port Adelaide/Enfield Council are proposing an extension of the current 40km/h speed limit precinct on Semaphore Road & are seeking public consultation & your feedback on the matter.

At the moment the 40km/h precinct extends from the Esplanade T-junction as far as the Military Road intersection – historically the location of Semaphore’s major shopping strip. The Council is proposing to extend the speed limit zone as far as the T-junction with Swan Terrace (adjacent to the service station), where an increasing number of shops & services have been opened in recent years (see green zone below).

PortBUG has long supported extension of the 40km/h speed limit precinct. However we would prefer that it extend the full length of the ‘single-lane’ section of the road – that is, as far as the junction with Causeway Road further to the east (including the red zone above). After Causeway Rd (& the railway crossing) Semaphore Road becomes a dual carriageway with 2 traffic lanes on each side of the road, & higher numbers of trucks & commercial vehicles, Causeway Road being a designated heavy-vehicle ‘by pass’! All sections of the road shown above are single lane!

Those familiar with Semaphore Road will know that the complexity of the junction of Semaphore Rd with Swan Trc & Woolnough Rd – at the left hand end of the red section above – while much improved in recent years, still presents all road users with a challenging situation. Many will also know it as the location of a fatal collision involving a very well known local a few years ago. 

It’s also quite obvious that the entire single-lane section of the road (Esplanade to Causeway Road) is now quite intensively populated with many small business & service premises, quite a few residential frontages & many driveways & side road junctions. Several new & quite large business & service premises (including vet & health centres) have recently opened along this eastern section of the road & more are anticipated given the proximity of the new housing redevelopment around the Inner Harbor. 

Given the presence of these new businesses & increased parking & pedestrian activity, as well as the on-road bike lanes & increasing bicycle use, PortBUG believes a 40km/h limit is more appropriate than the current 50km/h. It is certainly an adequate traffic speed for such an environment & when traffic is heavy it’s often not possible to go faster. A comprehensive 40km/h limit as far as Causeway Rd would more clearly differentiate the heavy vehicle, dual carriage way from what has now become a much more uniform & single-lane shopping, service & ‘pedestrian-intensive’ strip!

PortBUG strongly encourages your participation in the Council’s ‘Have Your Say’ consultation process which you’ll find here.

https://participate.cityofpae.sa.gov.au/safer-semaphore-road

PortBUG & Bike Adelaide met again with members of the Port Dock Rail Station design team yesterday to review progress with their planning. Representatives from Bike Adelaide & PAE Council was also present.

Unfortunately the meeting saw no resolution of the key issues we have raised to date, notably the likely disruption of existing walking, cycling & active travel activity in the area directly affected by the project due to the:

• removal of the current level crossing across the rail tracks adjacent to the Aviation Museum
• closure of the Greenway entrance/exit on Lipson St.

Pedestrians & bicycle users travelling into the Port CBD will still be faced with 2 choices:

1. climb up & over the Red Hill Bridge & then travel down to the southern end of Lipson St (or on to Commercial Road) or…
2. travel along the eastern side of the new rail line (via existing pathways & Barlow St) & then turn to the left through the new rail station precinct & car park/bus interchange to enter or cross Lipson St (see blue-dotted rectangle in our header image & the ed dotted line in the connectivity map below).

Apart from protesting the closures & pointing to the obvious inherent hazards & inconvenience of the obviously ‘non-compliant’ Red Hill Bridge route in particular, we have raised several other issues including need for improved pedestrian & cyclist crossings at both St Vincent Street & across Lipson Street (opposite the proposed car park & bus interchange).

The designers have come up with some bicycle refuge & crossing options at St Vincent St which should make the crossing relatively safe for experienced bike users. Unfortunately little further thought appears to have been given to the safety of pedestrians crossing St Vincent Street nor for those needing to cross Lipson St – either travelling to or from the train, or because this crossing point is the preferred route through to the Port’s CBD.

This was disappointing given concerns we have raised in previous meetings. PortBUG expects road safety for those crossing Lipson & St Vincent Streets to be a major consideration given the location of the new rail station, yet it appears to have been given no thought at all!  Following yesterday’s discussion the designers have undertaken to get together with Council to see what might be possible at the likely crossing point on Lipson Street, bearing in mind that Lipson St is also a B-Double route! On an encouraging note, Council tell us that Lipson St is likely to become part of a general ‘Port CBD’ 40km/h zone in the not too distant future!

With regard to the proposed Red Hill Bridge crossing (refer to the arrowed blue line in our header pic & below) – apart from some realignment of the ramp way’s entrance the project will not be investing in any improvements to the steep, narrow, poorly protected & non-compliant pathway at all! Nor will they project be investing in lighting or surface improvements on Barlow St (solid green line) – although we do understand that Council may be able to do something in this regard.

The project will be improving the 2 abrupt corners at the Barlow Street/Rail Yard entrance & exit with wider radius turns & improved sight lines. They have also undertaken to see what can be done to improve sight lines at the junction of Barlow & Baker Streets although options here seem limited. Our Bike Adelaide colleague spoke strongly to the need to ensure safe routes for bicycle users through the car park/bus interchange area (blue-dotted rectangle) & the project has undertaken to look more closely at what can be done.

Previous discussion of the Port Dock project here.

DIT: Pedestrian & Cyclist Fact Sheet

DIT: Feedback & Online Survey here

There will be two ‘drop-in sessions’ where plans can be studied & discussed – details below!

Session 1: Saturday, 15 April 2023, between 10am and 12pm.

Port Adelaide Uniting Church, 169 Commercial Road, Port Adelaide.

Session 2: Tuesday, 18 April 2023, between 5pm and 7pm.

Port Adelaide Uniting Church, 169 Commercial Road, Port Adelaide.

Project mailing list & web page.

From an active-travel p.o.v this is quite a complex project that will have a significant impact on walking & cycling access into & around the Port CBD. Options to improve things appear relatively limited – these seem to be the realities we face when different transport modes compete for limited space & funds! PortBUG will stay engaged & report as best we can on any further developments.

Port Adelaide/Enfield Council are conducting further public consultations for establishing 40km/h area speed limits for Manningham & Hampstead Gardens.

From an Active Transport perspective these speed limits are an important step towards a safer traffic environment for pedestrians, bicycle users, those using mobility devices & others.

You can read more about the project & have your say here.

After many months of meetings between PortBUG, Council & DIT, the proposal for the new Port Dock rail extension & rail station has been released for public information & consultation.

The project will have a major impact on access on walking & cycling in the area. PortBUG has been involved for some months – often in somewhat fraught negotiations – in an attempt to preserve some semblance of convenience, connectivity & amenity for the many cyclists & pedestrians who make daily use of the Outer Harbor Greenway, and in particular the railway crossing adjacent to the Aviation Museum & the current exit onto Lipson St, both of which will be closed!

This removal will create very obvious barriers for those needing direct access to the Port CBD’s shopping & services. The project has made no attempt to survey or acknowledge this impact on Greenway users & local residents. Alternative routes proposed by the project team are generally unsatisfactory & will impose significant inconvenience & an unnecessary burden of risk on pathway users.

There will be particular impacts for residents of Ottoway & Rosewater seeking access the Port CBD. These people will be forced to travel considerable distances to the north or south, either: 

• via Bedford & Baker Streets (to the north), exiting either through the rail-station car park (to Lipson St) or onto extremely busy St Vincent St or… 

• up & over the Red Hill Bridge (to the south) & thence to the southern end of Lipson St. 

These alternative routes impose increased travel distances of 1.7 km or more. The route over the Redhill Bridge also presents more specific safety concerns! It will utilise the existing narrow & steep ramp to the bridge-level footpath, also very narrow & poorly lit & protected from motor traffic. Neither of these paths meet relevant standards for ‘vulnerable users’ – pedestrians, children, cyclists, the aged & those with disabilities – nor are they appropriate for a major active travel route. The proposed ‘bridge route’ will clearly be noncompliant & present many ‘predictive risks’.

The other route to the north takes Greenway users either to an exit onto (or across) St Vincent St or to Lipson St via the new rail station concourse & car park/bus interchange footpaths. Again, for those travelling into the Port CBD, both present extended travel distances, increased inconvenience & certainly increased exposure to a range of ‘predictive’ traffic hazards. 

It’s also worth noting that loss of the rail crossing & Lipson St exit has significant implications for Council’s Rosewater Loop Project, particularly its provision of direct & convenient connection into the Port CBD. Rosewater Loop users approaching via the Giillman reserve pathway & seeking access to the Port Plaza (Aldi, K Mart, Coles etc) will be required to ‘backtrack’ some 400 metres south to proceed over the Red Hill Bridge or proceed via an even longer distance to the north. Given Council & community investment in the Rosewater Loop project, the closures seem quite ill-advised! 

PortBUG regards this outcome as unsatisfactory & unnecessary. The Port Dock design team has made a great deal of ‘improved safety’ for pedestrians & cyclists with the closure of the level crossing. We have argued strongly for retention of the current crossing and the installation of new ‘automatic’ crossing gates. These gates are already widely used in rail station precincts across Adelaide & have proved very effective, particularly in improving safety for wheelchair & mobility device users as well as for children & the elderly. 

We have had several discussions with Council officers, who we believe share our concerns. We have also written to both Deputy Premier Susan Close (Member for Port Adelaide) & the Hon Joe Szakacs (Member for Cheltenham), outlining our arguments & seeking to meet with them (no response as yet). 

We encourage readers to familiarise themselves with the proposal & plans & provide feedback accordingly. 

Pedestrian & Cyclist Fact Sheet

Feedback & Online Survey here

There will also be two ‘drop-in sessions’ where plans can be studied & discussed – details below!

Session 1: Saturday, 15 April 2023, between 10am and 12pm.

Port Adelaide Uniting Church, 

169 Commercial Road, Port Adelaide.

Session 2: Tuesday, 18 April 2023, between 5pm and 7pm.

Port Adelaide Uniting Church, 

169 Commercial Road, Port Adelaide.

You can register for the Project’s mailing list here

The project will also establish a Community Reference Group to ‘capture’ the views of the community. The PortBUG hopes to be part of this process!

Project web page: https://ptpa.com.au/projects/port-dock-railway-line

The Port Adelaide/Enfield Council is currently implementing its new Walking and Cycling Plan & is seeking community feedback & ideas on 2 key aspects of The Plan:

• a proposal to greatly improve the Mersey Road Bikeway route which runs northwards between Victoria Road & the Port River. The proposal would create an ‘on road’ bike way with new infrastructure along Elder Rd and Mersey Rd, running from Birkenhead to Osborne
• the ongoing identification of new locations for additional bike parking facilities and walking & cycling refuges across the PAE council area.

Here’s what staff have to say about the Mersey Road Bikeway proposals:

“We have identified that the Mersey Road bicycle route is an important secondary route linking the employment centres within the Lefevre Peninsula. We are proposing several treatments along this route to improve cycling. Different treatments have been selected based upon the streetscape. A separate path has been provided where there is sufficient width within the verge. For sections of Mersey Road that are greater than 9m, we can re-allocate space within the existing road cross-section to provide a dedicated on-road bicycle path while still maintaining two travel lanes for traffic and parking on the western side (property side) of Mersey Road. At other constrained locations, we are providing the ‘shared road’ pavement marking to highlight this is part of a cycling route. We have been successful in receiving grant funding under the State Bicycle Fund for these improvements.”

And here’s a short summary of new bike parking & median refuge possibilities:

“We have been successful in receiving funding through the State Bicycle Fund to help deliver the cycling projects detailed below in our Next Steps [including] installation of [bike parking] hoops and consideration of bike refuges around the City of PAE. We want your help to decide where this infrastructure should be located and to review existing infrastructure that may not be meeting… needs due to poor location or condition. We are unable to install hoops on private land such as privately owned shopping centres however please tell us about these locations, and we can pass this feedback on.

Refuges allow people walking and cycling to cross main roads in two stages so they only have to deal with one direction of traffic at a time. The refuge provides room to stop in a centre island. They are particularly beneficial on busy roads where it may be difficult to find a safe gap in both directions of traffic. We are seeking your feedback on where these are needed most.”

Implementation of the new 5-year Walking & Cycling Plan takes an entirely new approach. – it will largely be based on ongoing feedback & participation from & by the community. So we’ll see the best outcomes if the community gets involved! So we strongly encourage PortBUG members to get involved & take this opportunity to comment!

It’s also worth noting that – as well as the State Bicycle Fund money mentioned – Council has allocated a considerable sum of money from its own budget for annual implementation of The Plan over its initial 5 year span! So you can be confident that Council officers will be listening to what you have to say & there’s a good chance that any suggestions you make will be implemented!

The Participation page is here!

Australian Cargo Bike retailer, Dutch Cargo Bike will be holding a free Come & Try Day here in Adelaide. If you have any interest in cargo bikes & their car-replacement possibilities hit the Greenway (or bus/train) & check it out.

When: May 6th, 9am – 12pm.

Where: The Joinery, 111 Franklin St, Adelaide.

Please Note: Limited street parking – take your bike or PT.

https://dutchcargobike.com.au

Gawler Greenway users will have noticed (perhaps ‘run into’ is the better term) the closure & disruption of the pathway adjacent to Grand Junction Road between Narweena Drive & the nearby underpass. 

Unfortunately PortBUG only became aware of this belatedly when Michael Palmer, BikeSA ride leader reported the situation to us in mid-January. By then it appears that the Greenway had already been blocked for several months by a new access road, created for the construction of an enormous MainFreight facility immediately to the south!

No onsite maps or signage were provided & pathway users were required to ‘wing it’ – figuring out an appropriate detour on their own & crossing Grand Junction Road with no guidance to the safest crossing point or how to reconnect with the Greenway route!

The BUG immediately reported the situation to PAE Council staff who contacted the Emmett Property project manager involved. Incredibly – remember this is 2023 in the self-titled ‘cycling capital’ of Australia – Emmett plead ignorance of any need to consult Council regarding the closure of the Greenway!

Even more difficult to understand was the lack of any obvious concern for the safety of pathway users or attempt to re-route Greenway users in a safe & organised fashion. This stands in great contrast to the efforts that developers of various construction sites at Bowden, where site managers have gone to considerable lengths to safely manage closures & impacts on the Outer Harbor Greenway!

Fortunately Council staff were able to get a commitment to reopen the path this week so no temporary detours on their part were required. Michael has reported today that “the surface has been reinstated with tarmac as per photos (see below). As you will see there is the ramp from the service road to be finished but otherwise all good”.

The lesson for us all from this incident is to report any problems on our cycleways to the local Council (or to your BUG) asap! Council is in the best position to negotiate appropriate detours, alternative routes, advisory signs or repairs required & will usually do so in consultation with the BUG & cycling community.

Council will monitor the final reinstatement of the pathway over the coming week. Obviously the new access road is likely to be in frequent use so we’d suggest all pathway users take extra care at this point. We may ask Council to ensure appropriate warning signs are installed for both pathway users & drivers! Thanks to both Michael & Council Staff for their persistence in following up this matter!

All photos: Michael Palmer.

Hi Folks, PortBUG has been quiet for a couple of months… but we haven’t gone away! We’ve been weathering the COVID storm & awaited Council’s ratification & implementation of the new Walking & Cycling Plan. So check out the important news & consultation opportunity below…

1. New Walking & Cycling Plan:

Council has now adopted the new 5-year Walking & Cycling Plan & has also made a significant commitment towards annual minimum funding for the Plan for the next 5 years with the following focus areas:

• Improve walking and cycling infrastructure
• Promote and encourage walking and cycling
• Provide information, invest in data and monitoring.

First Steps – 2022-23: As a first step, for the 2022-23 financial year the Council has obtained funding for cycling projects in the following 3 areas:

Port Adelaide CBD Cycling & Walking Networks: Aims to define cycling routes throughout the Port Centre, ‘. This initiative ‘leveraging’ off the ‘Outer Harbour Greenway’ as a major cycling corridor & providing alternatives for cyclists to better link them to services and destinations within the Port.

City Wide Secondary Bike Paths: This project will promote ‘neighbourhood cycling routes’ for the community & increase awareness for motorists to ‘share the road’ on these neighbourhood connections. It will formalise neighbourhood connections with appropriate signage & line marking along with other supporting infrastructure improvements, such as path linkages and kerb ramps.

City Wide Cycle Parking Facilities: Will provide end-of-trip facilities – cycle parking – at key locations & community buildings across the City.

You can read the new Walking & Cycling Plan here.

2. Have Your Say – Bike Parking & Refuge Needs:

Council is conducting an on-line ‘Have Your Say’ Consultation to identify locations for new, additional & improved Bike Parking & Cycling Refuges – additional bike parking ‘hoops’ & bike refuges at road crossings. Where do you think new bike parks & crossing refuges should be located & how can existing infrastructure be improved, relocated or better maintained? Please let Council know what you think! The Have Your Say form & page are here…

Jeremy Miller, AdaptWest Regional Coordinator – Climate Change, has organised a Community Bike Tour of the Outer Harbour Greenway between Bowden & St Clair on Sunday, the 16^th of October from 11am to 2pm. This ride is part of SA’s annual Nature Festival.

The ride will follow the fabulous Outer Harbour Greenway & will look at various sustainability initiatives including the Bowden development, the new Nightingale building, the vision for the Gas Works precinct, the plans for the redevelopment of Chief Street and further highlighting the urban greening along the route including the excellent community verge projects. All of these projects serve as a model for the action required across the city of Adelaide & SA!

The ride will conclude with a BYO picnic lunch at St Clair. Your guide for the event will be Jeremy Miller, AdaptWest regional coordinator and Active Transport champion.  Jeremy is seeking a couple of volunteers who can act as Marshals for the ride. Please contact him if you’d like to fulfil this role – jmiller@charlessturt.sa.gov.au.

Please register for the ride here.

PortBUG is pleased to announce Council’s ratification on 9th August of a new Walking & Cycling Plan to guide investment in Active Transport facilities & development for the next 5 years (2022 to 2027). You can check it out at the following link (temporary pending preparation of a new bike plan page) https://haveyoursay.cityofpae.sa.gov.au/walking-and-cycling-plan

The August Council minutes also record 3 investment targets drawn from the new Plan for the initial 2022-23 financial year (see table below). PortBUG will meet with PAE staff asap to discuss the longer-term implementation of the Plan, particularly with regard to development of local ‘secondary’ networks which we believe requires extensive consultation with local communities.

PA/E Officers recently provided the BUG with the following updates:

Jenkins Street ‘By-Pass’:            The temporary ‘bypass’ pathway for temporarily-closed Jenkins Streey along Nelson Street (& joining up with the Semaphore Road Bikeway) has been completed. PA/E staff acknowledge the less-than-ideal turning angles required when negotiating the ramp on the northern side of the Jenkins St crossing – they will continue to explore options for improving this situation (we presume this will depend on progress with ‘ground stabilization works’ inside the fenced area).

New PA/E ‘Walking and Cycling Plan’:           Staff will be presenting a report to Council in August seeking endorsement prior to the coming Council elections. A number of amendments have been made following feedback provided by PortBUG & the community earlier in the year. The plan is currently with the consultant for final changes.

Integrated Transport Strategy:           This new overarching (& ‘bike friendly’) strategy was endorsed at the March Council meeting. Staff are working through the action list with key projects for 2022 including a Freight Movement & Access Study, kerb-ramp audits for DDA compliance as well as accessible parking compliance.

Port CBD Access Concept Plan: The PortBUG has consulted extensively with Council, promoting a wide range of much-need access & safety improvements within the Port CBD & Waterfront precinct (including the transit of the Outer Harbor Greenway through the CBD & Waterfront areas). Implementation planning is to commence shortly. 

Other Projects Proposed for 2020-23:

• Connectivity and wayfinding improvements for Council’s secondary bike network
• City-wide bicycle parking improvements
• A possible trial of glow-in-the-dark line marking in certain situations (eg; highlighting curves and bends in poorly lit locations).

We are also told that Council’s vacant Traffic Engineering position has now been filled, with Council’s Transport Team now at full strength for the first time in over 12 months . This will assist with clearing a backlog of tasks and planning for future projects.

For the past few months the PortBUG has been working with staff from PAE Council on a new Walking & Cycling Plan, with a revised draft soon to go to Council for ratification. One of our priorities for this new Plan was making the Port CBD much more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists & those dependent on mobility devices. 

We see this enhanced accessibility as having multiple benefits & outcomes:

• improving access & equity for surrounding communities as well as… 
• making transition through the Port’s Waterfront & CBD areas much easier for those using the major bikeways converging here, notably the Outer Harbour Greenway, the Port River Expressway, the Parks Connector & the Coast Park.

We have approached this enhanced accessibility in two ways, first by looking at opportunities for better ‘gateway’ access into the CBD from all points of the compass and then by looking for opportunities to improve access, movement & security within the CBD itself.

improving access, movement & security within the CBD itself.We have recently put a set of proposals to the Council & hope to report on a draft ‘Access Concept Plan’ soon. 

A key component of our proposals has been turning the wide pedestrian pavement along Quebec Street (between the junctions with Robe Street & Dale Street & adjacent to the Port Mall Car Park) into an accessible & disability-compliant ‘active transport corridor’ (see below). 

This ‘corridor’ – while only a couple of hundred metres in length – would form the ‘backbone’ of an accessibility network within the Port’s CBD & is an important initiative, providing connections to other points & destinations within the area. 

As a first step towards creating this corridor Council will construct much improved road crossings, first at the Quebec/Robe Street junction (near Farmer Joes Market) & then at the Quebec/Cannon Street junction opposite the Port Mall car park (next to Cheap as Chips). Council will be undertaking major stormwater works on Quebec Street later this year with the new crossings likely to be built early in 2023.

PortBUG has been encouraged by the positive response to all of our proposals from Council staff. They are obviously keen to work with the BUG (& broader community) to improve conditions for walking, cycling & active transport generally, & we look forward to interesting & exciting outcomes over 2022-23!

Just a reminder that ‘Motherload’, the unique & fantastic feature-length cargo bike movie will be screened:

• this coming Sunday 29th, 1-4pm at… 
• the Healthy Living Precinct, 16-20 Hindmarsh Ave, Welland (easily accessed by bike – directions here).

Plenty of tickets still available here with a brief summary of the movie & trailer. 

There will be a retail cargo bike display from WillRide and a ‘Show-&-Tell’ with some of Adelaide’s cargo bike owners, a great opportunity to check out some of our local cargo bikes & discuss them with their riders! See you there!

For many years I have followed the ‘Bicycle Dutch’ blog published by the apparently indefatigable Mark Wagenbuur in the Netherlands. In his own words:

“I am one of the many Dutch who cycle almost every day. I have 50 years of experience in cycling in the Netherlands… I enjoy showing the world Dutch cycling and Dutch cycling infrastructure in my videos and blog posts.”

If you are at all interested in how all-things-cycling can be done MUCH better, then I recommend Mark’s regular video posts. He is an informed & critical commentator & the videos are easy to watch, instructive & of course inspiring.

Most of all they remind us we are part of something BIG – I am encouraged to note that tiny PortBUG appears on Mark’s ‘Blogs I Like’ list (see below)!

(Sam, Ed. & PortBUG Secretary)

PAE Council have informed us that the developers of the Fletcher’s Slip housing precinct now have a commencement date for installation of a temporary detour pathway around the now-closed Jenkins Street section of the Outer Harbor Greenway/Loop Path. 

The modifications will be undertaken by contractors working for Cedar-Woods (the developers) rather than PAE Council.

Weather permitting, works will start on Monday, 23rd May. The scope of the works planned are show on the diagram below.

We were not told of safety arrangements for pedestrians, cyclists & mobility device users while construction takes place or of any provision for a ‘detour around the detour’, but we’ll let you know when further information is to hand. Meanwhile please take care as the pathway’s width is quite narrow & the adjacent roadway on Nelson Street can be extremely busy!

It’s worth noting that Council have already removed a northern-side standing rail at the Jenkins Street ramp – making turns a little easier – & have realigned some of the pathway markings to make the descent from the bridge a bit safer.

Middle Ground Motherhood (MGM) are planning a screening of the acclaimed cargo-bike movie ‘Motherload’ on Sunday, 29^th May.

Motherload is an inspiring, feature-length movie documenting one woman’s (& her family’s) discovery of the cargo-biking world & the joy & empowerment that cargo-bike use can bring to everyday life! 

MOTHERLOAD captures a new mother’s quest to understand the increasing isolation and disconnection of modern life, its planetary impact, and how cargo bikes could be an antidote.

Filmmaker Liz Canning cycled everywhere until she had twins in 2008. Motherhood was challenging, but to Liz hauling babies via car felt stifling. She Googled “family bike” and uncovered a global movement of people replacing cars with cargo bikes: long-frame bicycles designed for carrying heavy loads. Liz set out to learn more, and MOTHERLOAD was born.

Since its world premiere in May 2019, MOTHERLOAD has been on a Global Screening Tour featuring over 500 live and virtual venues.

The film also delves into an intriguing Adelaide ‘cargo-bike connection’! So, if you are interested in:

• mobility without a car
• finding a more sustainable (& empowering) means of everyday transport…

…come & see the film! A display of cargo bikes used here in Adelaide & available from a local retailer is planned, as well as activities for kids. Maybe even live music!

The event is subject to successful funding via Pozible with $2000 required (currently $769 raised). Individual tickets are $18 with parental & family discounts available. If you’d like to attend you can reserve tickets (& pledge support) here.

More detailed information about the event here & you can also watch the Motherload trailer…

Last week PortBUG met with transport staff from PAE Council for a couple of hours & did a bit of a ‘walk around’ survey of the Port CBD to share experiences & ideas aimed at improving access & convenience for bicycle users, pedestrians & those using mobility devices. Our discussion focused on:

• access to the Port CBD (shops, services, supermarkets, library etc)
• the transition of the Outer Harbor Greenway (OHG) from Lipson St through to the Birkenhead Bridge & Semaphore Rd.

In particular we looked at potential routes for taking Greenway users:

• on a far more direct & efficient route through the waterfront precinct &…
• directly into the Port CBD as well!

This is because there are 2 cohorts using the Greenway – commuters who need a direct & efficient pathway past the CBD, and others who want access to shops & services in the CBD. Council staff were clearly interested in what we had to say & had been reviewing these issues themselves. 

Here’s a brief summary of what we looked at & discussed:

• the perennial challenge of heavy vehicles & ‘rat-running’ traffic on the OHG on Lipson St & possibilities for increasing safety & access to the Port CBD & waterfront. 
• alternative routes to take the Greenway off Lipson St south & avoid the uncontrolled crossing at Commercial Rd (including possible routes via Butler & Kyle Streets across to Lighthouse Square) 
• making better use of a direct east-west route along Divett & Nile Streets
• improving the current pretty dreadful linking pathway between the crossings on Nelson St (adjacent to the Birkenhead Bridge) & Nile St
• an improved pathway along Nelson St & across Commercial Rd, into the Port CBD
• a new ‘scramble’ pedestrian crossing on Quebec next to Farmer Joes
• making better use of the wide pavement opposite the Port Mall car park between Quebec St & the Dale St pedestrian crossings
• improved connections to the Port CBD for residents living to the west.

Finally we had a close look at the Cedar-Woods housing development on the northern side of the Port River along Jenkins St & Semaphore Rd. We pointed out the obvious impact on Greenway users, the new hazards that cyclists & others faced in using the new ‘detour’ along the Nelson St footpath & what might be required to improve the situation over the 2-year closure of Jenkins St. 

As we’ve said, this ‘walk around’ was a very useful exercise & we hope to repeat it later in the year. We also mentioned to staff that we now had several BUG ‘field agents’ to improve our focus on theeastern sector of the PAE Council area. Staff outlined a number of initiatives underway along Folland Ave & elsewhere. Expect to see news of this soon! 

Several weeks ago DIT at long last released a draft SA Cycling Strategy. SA’s last Cycling Strategy – ‘Safety in Numbers’ – ran its course over a decade ago in 2010. PortBUG & everyone of SA’s other bicycle organisations has been demanding its replacement every year since!

PortBUG of course strongly supports the provision of a new SA Cycling Strategy. Unfortunately we have found this draft Cycling Strategy sorely wanting! It lacks any attempt to map out a projected or optimal cycling network, connections to key destinations across our city & how users might travel across the network!

We have now provided DIT with several pages of commentary & recommendations on this draft Cycling Strategy. You can have a look at our response here.

You can also read a comprehensive response from the UnleyBUG here.

Today (31st March) is the final day you can respond to this draft Strategy. If you would like to quickly provide a specific comment please do so on the Have Your Say form here. You can also download & read the draft Cycling Strategy here.

If you are pushed for time you may simply want to email the cycling folk at DIT & express your support for the recommendations made by your (& the Unley) BUG! Email them at this addess: dit.CommunityRelations@sa.gov.au

You can read a summary of the recommendations made in our response below:

Recommendation 1: That the draft Cycling Strategy provide a map illustrating a ‘projected cycling network’ for Adelaide identifying: 

• a suitable ‘grid’ network 
• key destinations 
• connectivity across the Metro Area. 

Recommendation 2: That the draft Cycling Strategy clearly illustrate the key destinations that its Principal Bicycle Routes travel to with the cross-city ‘connectivity’ provided. 

Recommendation 3: We recommend that a comprehensive, physicallyseparated bicycle network be considered as a minimum outcome in this SA Cycling Strategy to ensure Adelaide’s network meets both world’s best practice & the needs of its residents! 

Recommendation 4: Nominations for new Greenways, effective bicycle ‘connections’ & new priority projects for consideration over the next decade, as well as a map illustrating a notionally complete Metro Cycling Network should be included in this new Strategy. 

Recommendation 5: We consider it essential that the key role of State Government in the design & investment in Adelaide’s Principal Bicycle Network be acknowledged by this Strategy. 

Finally, here’s an illustration of the beautiful, connected PLUSnet bike network in Copenhagen – we hope it inspires your day!

PortBUG has had a further conversation with PAE staff regarding the ‘temporary’ closure of the Outer Harbor Greenway along Jenkins Street on the Port’s waterfront. Key issues discussed were:

• the schedule for improving the proposed ‘detour’ around the Fletcher’s Slip development
• the possible widths of this ‘detour’ pathway (the developers had indicated a 2.5metres width)
• potential improvements at both the Semaphore Road end and the ramps at the Jenkins St junction.

Council acknowledged that the situation is far from ideal. Initial discussions with Cedar Woods late last week suggested that the alternative path would be constructed over the next fortnight along – we had presumed – the full length of Nelson St between Jenkins St & Semaphore Road. The construction fence erected around the development lot at the Nelson Street end (see above) is in fact well outside the actual site boundary, suggesting that there was plenty of room for such a full length 2.5m wide pathway. It now appears that this will not be possible! Our current understanding is:

• the fence bordering the first 50 metres (starting from the southern Jenkins St end) is where it is – right next to the existing narrow footpath (see below) – because of ground ‘preloading’ or stabilisation works on the development site, which will need to continue for the next 6-7 months
• pathway widening over this first 50 metres may occur but will be limited by the fencing & the ‘preloading’ works

• the last 40-odd metres (further towards Semaphore Rd) is not restricted to the same extent, will be widened by Council to the full 2.5 metres & will include the gradual curve around the corner (to join the Semaphore Rd Bikeway) that PortBUG has recommended – see image at the top of this page!
• there is not a lot that can be done at this stage about the very cramped landing behind the northern ramp at Jenkins St (see below) although PAE will ask the developers if the fencing can move back a little to allow more room behind the ramp.

• & finally, once the free-loading & soil preparation works are finished (towards the end of this year), PAE Council will revisit the ‘detour’, establish a final design (including a review of the ramps) & rebuild the pathway to the maximum width possible on a permanent basis.

Council indicated that the Greenway will eventually proceed through the new development along a waterfront route (ie; more or less where Jenkins Street is at present in the photo above), &hopefully with some consultation with PortBUG on its design!

PortBUG received a call this afternoon from a representative of Cedar Woods, the developers of Fletchers Slip & responsible for the apparent closure of Jenkins St. The representative was responding to recent PortBUG enquiries (also sent to Council) expressing a number of concerns about this closure & asking what alternative route was to be provided.

The representative pointed out that Jenkins Street remains a privately owned roadway & confirmed that it is NOW CLOSED to all Greenway users (pedestrians, bicycle users, skaters & – we assume – users of disability mobility devices as well). Of course – barring installation of locked gates – it may be more accurate to describe the street as ‘notionally closed’ as it remains difficult to see how closure might be enforced given the roadway has to remain open for building vehicle movements & there are still other premises located along the roadway!

The rep indicated that those wanting to proceed along the Greenway route are now expected to utilise the currently difficult-to-access, narrow & congested pathway along Nelson Street which links to the Semaphore Road Bikeway at the junction of Semaphore Road & Nelson Street (see below)!

At present it’s hard to see how this can really be described as a viable ‘alternative Greenway route’ – those using this Nelson St pathway (see below) must negotiate narrow & awkwardly located ramps & corners, a narrow & congested footpath & poorly located poles & signs just to get to the existing Semaphore Road Bikeway.

From an ‘active travel’ point of view it’s hard to understand how the inevitable disruption of the Greenway (& impacts on the local community) was not foreseen & the need for more effective community liaison overlooked! The Cedar Woods rep pointed out that because Jenkins St was and remains a private road, they felt a limited responsibility for such liaison (& we’d suggest for continued safe access by Greenway users). She did confirm what we were told last week – that eventually the narrow & substandard footpath along Nelson Street will be rebuilt as a 2.5 metre wide shared-use pathway – but she was not able to offer any insight as to when this might occur. Its construction apparently hinges on approval from DIT & Council so we presume it will not happen anytime soon!

She also pointed out that eventually Jenkins St itself will be rebuilt as a bikeway (or perhaps a shared, bike-friendly roadway – the design goals remain unknown) & will then be returned to Council as part of the Outer Harbour Greenway. However it seems likely this rebuilding will still be a year or so away, & she indicated that heavy vehicles will be a frequent presence on Jenkins Street from the end of March this year!

Obviously the rebuilding of the Nelson Street footpath as a ‘bypass’ should now be a major & we’d suggest urgent priority for Council, DIT & the developers given that the quite heavy daily use the Greenway sees (including by numerous school students & those using mobility devices).

PortBUG is quite disappointed with this outcome in terms of both pre-emptive planning outcomes & community liaison. We have been arguing for improvement of this section of the Nelson St footpath for some years & the development of Fletcher’s Slip has been several years in the making! However we believe improvement of the Nelson Street pathway is now a goal in the draft Walking & Cycling Plan & we will continue to pursue a satisfactory outcome!

In the meantime we would welcome feedback from pathway users, particularly regarding hazardous situations users may encounter! You can contact us at portadbug@gmail.com or comment below.

Outer Harbor Greenway users riding to & from the waterfront or Port CBD may have noticed what appears to be the imminent closure of the bikeway section along Jenkins St at Port Adelaide – connecting the Birkenhead Bridge path & Semaphore Road Bikeway.

A large fence has been erected – apparently by the Fletcher’s Slip housing developers – closing off access to the corner (& the wide Jenkins Street rampway) & creating what we judge to be a dangerous situation for all concerned!

Despite this ramp & partial road closure we’ve noted today that many cyclists continue to rely on this section of the route, negotiating the hazardous entry & exit that has now resulted.

PortBUG has received no notice at all of this apparent closure nor information about the developer’s intentions, provision of alternative routes etc. We have raised a number of concerns with PAE Council & the developers this afternoon & will keep you informed of the outcomes.

If you use this section of the Greenway, please do so WITH CARE!