Two letters from Verity Firth, slightly abridged.

 

27/2/07

 

Dear Robert,

 

Thank you for taking the time to email and talk to me recently… [about cycling issues in Leichhardt, particularly Victoria Rd corridor].

 

I am currently following up who is responsible for the narrow cyclepath issue [narrow path behind badly sited bus shelters on Victoria Rd at White Bay]. I agree this is a problem and needs to be fixed.

 

….

 

The $100 million plan for Victoria Rd between Drummoyne and White Bay in Rozelle will improve public transport. I hope that the proposed plan will accommodate the needs of cyclists in the area.

 

In particular, a dedicated bus lane and overtaking bays are proposed for the existing Iron Cove Bridge. This will allow quicker limited stop bus services.

 

The Minister for Roads (Eric Roozendaal) has pledged to undertake close consultation with the local community. Should I be elected I will ensure the Minister is held to his promise.

 

The Iron Cove Bridge will be duplicated (i.e. a second bridge will be built next to the existing one). There are several reasons for this. The addition of a fifth lane some time ago actually worsened traffic flow, as it required more lane changes. The bridge has also been classified as a heritage item  and this must be considered when alterations are considered. Duplication is considered the best option.

 

I am forwarding your correspondence to the Minister and am confident your views and others will be taken into account…

 

Initial details can be found on the NSW Urban Transport Plan online at  http://www.nsw.gov.au/urbam_transport.asp.

 

I am particularly pleased with the establishment of a Centre for Transport Planning to coordinate major transport initiatives.

 

We must do all we can to support public transport… I have worked hard (as a member of the City of Sydney Council) to ensure this stays at the top of the agenda…

 

Thank you again and please feel free to contact me on 9881 5959…

 

Verity Firth

Labour candidate for Balmain.

 

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Letter to Neil Tonkin, 19/3/07.

.

I was just re-reading my response to you and thought that I should also place on the record my personal commitment to promoting cycling and other sustainable transport options.

 

I believe that it should be safe and unproblematic for residents of the Balmain electorate to ride to and from work and also recreationally. In particular, residents of Balmain should be able to safely and comfortably cycle to the city centre.   We live so close to the CBD that this should be encouraged and enjoyed.

 

I think it's important that more effort is made to promote the benefits of cycling. As well as being a sustainable form of transport cycling has obvious health benefits. I know that when I was at school most students rode or walked to school but that seems to be increasingly uncommon today. I think that's a shame, cycling is a healthy and fun way to get to school. I am committed to working with local schools to improve bike storage facilities and bike education so as to encourage more of our children to take up cycling.

 

Of course to encourage cycling we need to ensure that we have a comprehensive and safe network of cycleways. I am committed to extending and improving cycleways in our area including prioritising new cycleway facilities across the Iron Cove Bridge .

 

I have also called on the Minister for Roads to upgrade the Bay Run Cycleway and widen the RTA Regional Bicycle Route along Victoria Road . I have also called for the introduction of traffic calming measures on major roads, such as Darling St, in order to increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

If elected I look forward to working with community groups such as the Leichhardt Bicycle Users Group to improve cycling facilities in our area and to identify cycling black spots which require urgent action.

 

As I said in my previous email I am disappointed with funding cuts to the cycling budget, and if elected, will do everything in my power to see these cuts redressed. 

 

In relation to the City of Sydney's Cycling Strategy, as you know the City's strategy would see all residents in the CBD and inner suburbs with a cycling path no more than five minutes from their home.  It also aims to raise the proportion of CBD trips made by bicycle from 2% to 10% by 2016.  Routes will include Leichhardt to the City, Glebe Point to the City and Rozelle to the City.  I would love to see this initiative expanded across the inner west, and will be a strong advocate with both the state government and Leichhardt Council on this issue.

 

 

 

Cr Verity Firth

Labor Candidate for Balmain

Ph. 9881 5959

Fx. 9264 4905

Email. verity.firth@alp.com.au