SIGNS have just been placed at Lauderdale and Oakdowns to warn pedestrians and cyclists that this 2 kilometre stretch of State road is dangerous to walk or cycle along!
The Labor Party is to be congratulated for promising to extend the South Arm Highway from the Howrah roundabout to the Tasmanian Police Academy (Mercury, Saturday 4 March, page 9).
However, it must be asked, “Why stop at the Police Academy?”
The section of greatest need is the 2 kilometres after the Police Academy, where it is increasingly dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists walking or riding along a road that is a highway in all but construction.
This 2 kilometre stretch between the Police Academy and the Lauderdale Primary School is in the midst of a growing urban area including, Oakdowns, Acton, Lauderdale, Rokeby and Clarendon Vale and lacks a basic path for safe walking and cycling through the area.
Many students from Oakdowns and Clarence Plains who attend the Lauderdale School cannot walk or cycle to school because this road is far too dangerous and Lauderdale School students are unable to access the facilities at the Police Academy because the school cannot allow students to walk or cycle along the road.
With every new house and subdivision that is developed to the east and south of Oakdowns, South Arm Road gets that much busier, but the road remains neglected and accidents are frequent.
Injured or killed
With the approval of a further 186 lots in Oakdowns, running along the most dangerous part of South Arm Road for half a kilometre, a new danger has been added to this road, with the prospect of Oakdowns children finding themselves on a bike riding along this road and being injured or killed by a car, bus or truck.
Below Oakdowns there is a long curve in the road running over the hill with no space between the road and a ditch and cutting to escape and housing lots at Oakdowns along South Arm Road are now being sold.
Saving Ralphs supproters believe that all parties and candidates should commit to upgrading this 2 kilometres of South Arm Road, including a continuous cycle way and footpath through the area.
The cycleway should also be extended to Sandford, so children there can safely cycle and walk to Lauderdale, the school and the Police Academy.
A cycle way along South Arm Road would also benefit tourists cycling around the island, who should not find themselves exposed to such a dangerous road in a particularly picturesque part of Tasmania.
If any area is developed for housing, there should also be the basic amenity of a footpath and cycle way that allows safe access for pedestrians and cyclists, the elderly and school children, parents with prams and anyone who wants to walk their dog.
As long as South Arm Road remains a danger zone for pedestrians and cyclists, the State Government should maintain signs there, warning users about the danger that lies ahead. Such signs would also warn Oakdowns residents to keep their children off this road, even if they do want to ride their bikes to school or go to the beach in Lauderdale.
Earlier: The neglected highway
