RESIDENTS have raised concerns about a proposal to make Point Nepean Rd to a single lane each way as it passes through Rye.
A petition with 659 signatures opposing the move outlined in a draft township plan was doing the rounds Friday in the lead-up to a community drop-in session at Rye Civic Hall, 6-8pm, Thursday 14 September.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors last month agreed to place the plan on public exhibition for six weeks.
The shire issued a statement saying the plan had been “developed in close consultation with the community, sets the strategic vision and direction for the improvement of the foreshore, streetscape and town centre of Rye”.
However, petition organiser James Alexander, of Rye, said the plan was “done without a study into the flow-on effects for surrounding roads”.
“They plan on building a raised medium strip with angled parking, creating the perfect situation for a permanent traffic jam over summer,” he said.
“Imagine waiting for driver after driver waiting to park without being able to drive around.
“This proposal is flawed in several ways: how will emergency services navigate their way through with one lane and a raised medium strip.”
Mr Alexander urged residents to sign the petition so that “common sense can prevail”.
“We must voice all our concerns about this project. It will affect everyone,” he said.
The plan also includes reducing the speed limit on Point Nepean Rd to 40kph; widening footpaths through the commercial area; providing separate on-road cycle paths; partially relocating foreshore camping between Lyons and Weir streets; and increasing public parks and open space on the foreshore and in the town centre.
The mayor Cr Bev Colomb invited comment on the draft plan which will “guide the future development of Rye for the next 20 years”.
But an opponent on the change.org petition site added: “It is bad enough through there at the best of times. This plan will make it even worse.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 12 September 2017
