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West Tamar corridor study expands north

The state government is putting together a plan for the West Tamar Highway from Launceston to Beauty Point and wants to know what you think are the critical issues.

The government has already put out a plan for the Launceston–Legana section of the highway but is now expanding the study area.

You can still comment on the Launceston to Legana section, especially if your issues weren’t picked up the first time around.

That first study recommended a few projects that would improve bike riding conditions:

  • Duplication of highway between Freshwater Point Road and Legana Park Drive, including wider shoulders and an off-road cycling path.
  • Feasibility study into a separated cycling path between Launceston and Legana and general review of cycling through this section.
  • Speed limit review, keeping in mind vulnerable road users.

Legana to Beauty Point

There are a few pinchpoints for people riding on the road, and the off-road path could do with widening and extension to at least Legana in the first instance.

The West Tamar Council has put out a strategy that has the goal of an off-road path for most of the length of the Tamar River from Swan Point down to Launceston: https://www.wtc.tas.gov.au/trails

This would be a connected shared path of 2.5–3 metres width, depending on land availability.

The path would potentially follow the foreshore from Swan Point to Riverside then move inland to join the current path West Tamar Fitness Trail–Tailrace path which would need to be widened and sealed the full length.

The West Tamar plan also nominated on-road cycling routes for tourism which would need sealed, widened shoulders.  

You can make your comments on an interactive map at https://stategrowthtas.mysocialpinpoint.com/west-tamar-corridor-study-launceston-to-beauty-point/#/

You also can talk directly to the project team at information sessions this Friday 30 September from 9 am to 12.30 pm at the West Tamar Council Beaconsfield Council Chambers or 1.30 to 5 pm at the Exeter Community Hub.

Suggestions already posted include:

  • Cycle lanes on the highway between the Rosevears and Blackwall turn-offs.
  • Improved access to the shared path from the road at Tailrace Park
  • Reducing bins put in the shoulders, which block cycling access.

Have your say on the West Tamar plan by posting comments to the online map