Brighton Council is the latest to adopt an active transport strategy, which will see it build a separated cycling network mostly made up of shared paths with extensions suggested by the community.
The council released a draft strategy in August last year and received 56 submissions mostly focused on pedestrian infrastructure but some also addressed cycling infrastructure.
The main changes between the draft and final strategies are that the primary route identified alongside the Midland Highway and Brighton Road branches out to Andrew Street and Racecourse Road. And the secondary route linking Pontville to the Brighton township has been expanded as a result of consultation that occurred for a local area plan.
Submissions focused on safer walking and cycling routes and closing gaps in the network to improve the connections between where people lived and shops, services and recreational areas.
Separated cycling infrastructure was preferred but the engagement report stated that shared paths were the most feasible considering road constraints and available corridors. Higher levels of separation would be considered during the detailed design phases.
The suggested recreational routes following the banks of the Derwent and Jordan rivers were unchanged.
The highest priority shared path projects to be delivered in the next 1–3 years are:
- investigate extending the Bridgewater Foreshore Trail north along the west bank of the Jordan River to connect to the cul-de-sacs off Bisdee Road, other sections of Bisdee Road, and Cove Hil Road.
- construct shared pathway to extend/ connect riverside trails on either side of new Bridgewater Bridge
- upgrade existing footpath to a shared path on southern side of Downie Street from between Bemlena Place and the Brighton Road intersection.
There are several new and extended shared path projects listed for delivery in the next 3–5 years, including extension of the shared path along the northern side of the East Derwent Highway; new paths on Old Main Road, Williams Street and Elderslie Road; extension of the Bridgewater Foreshore Trail and converting disused rail corridors to shared paths.
Brighton's adoption of an active transport strategy mean all the greater Hobart councils now have plans in place for a connected cycling network.
https://haveyoursay.brighton.tas.gov.au/active-transport-strategy-2025-2035
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