Flinders Swanston Intersection 27/2/2011

The Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has written about brightening up this area in the Herald Sun, 27/2/2011. 

Some good proposals from the Lord Mayor.  Moving the tram stop up to the corner is one.  It was moved away from the corner by VicRoads to accommodate cars turning from Flinders St, but this results in the pedestrian crossing and bicycles being blocked at every change of the lights.  It also forces pedestrians to walk an indirect route.

Space is so tight in that area that it is no place for 4 lanes of car traffic and another lane of parked taxis.  Put it on a "road diet" and give the space to tram passengers and some decent, safe bike lanes.

Flinders St needs bike lanes to replace the unworkable route through Birrarung Marr and Princes Walk.  Bike lanes the length of Flinders Street would have connections (from East to West): Spring St bike lanes, Wellington Pde Sth bike lanes, Toll bridge shared path, Swanston St, Princes Bridge, William st, and on to the Flinders St extension and docklands.  This is better and cheaper than the proposed path along the river which would be a hugely expensive recreational white elephant. 

I like the wide, white concourse at Flinders St station, but too much junk has been inserted - clear it out.

The rear of the Bannana Alley vaults is chockers with cars too, including those that park illegally in the no standing area, with impunity.  It's a perfect place for a pedestrian area and links with the walkways along the river.  No need for commuter cyclists here once the Flinders St lanes are in.