Lane Cove NP - access via Vimiera / M2 underpass

From CAMWEST via mtb-oz, news that will affect mtb access to LCNP and anyone that uses the Brown's waterhole cycle path to link the upper north shore with the rest of the world, or commutes of trains on the M2.....

most of you would be aware of the proposed closure of the break down lane on the M2 for a period of two years whilst upgrading works are carried out. The greatest effects will be felt around Macquarie Uni, but it will have ramifications for any commuting cyclist travelling east of Windsor Road.

Bike North has done a lot of lobbying with the owners, Transurban to have a suitable alternative route identified and built whilst this work is carried out. The end result is, if yoy live North of the M2, forget about commuting along it at all as you won't be able to gain access to the proposed bypass until you cross Pennant Hills Road near North Rocks Road.

Initially there was some hope that a usable cycle path would be the result of the exercise, but it appears all that is being offered is a second rate alternative of shared footpaths, white bicycle signs & crossing of major roads at pedestrian crossings.

Bike North have decided to focus on short sections of the route & target areas that will affect other users of the paths, such as pedestrians & joggers as well as cyclists. There first target is Browns Waterhole & their request for protest emails is set out below (blue text).

Similarly in CAMWEST territory, basically the alternative proposals west of Pennat Hills Road is an unsuitable option. A long convoluted path that will see you using North Rocks Rd, Church St, Windsor Road, Northmead Ave, Kleins Rd, Hammers Rd, Old Windsor Rd etc, to travel from Pennant Hills Rd to the end of the M2.

Access to Brown's Waterhole blocked

During the M2 widening, access under the M2 from Vimiera Rd Marsfield to the Brown's Waterhole cycle path will be periodically blocked. This is apparently for safety reasons, as there will be major construction taking place on the northern side of the motorway.

At a meeting with representatives from Transurban and Leighton (the construction company contracted for the project) on Wednesday 5 May, it was not possible to get any accurate idea of the duration of the closure.

There is no alternative route. The nearest crossings of the Lane Cove River are on Lane Cove Rd and Pennant Hills Rd.

Brown's Waterhole is one of the most important and heavily used cycle paths in Northern Sydney. Its closure, even if only intermittent, impacts seriously on many bike commuters, sporting and recreational riders. In addition, the path is a popular pedestrian route, for recreation and for access from South Turramurra to the Macquarie area, with a significant number of people walking to work this way. It is also an important access point for fire control during summer.

What action can you take?

If you want any sort of reasonable access during the two years of M2 construction, then now is the time to act.

Deadline - May 25: Send email to [email protected]. Make your message polite, short and to the point, only talk about Brown's
Waterhole (we'll do other issues later). They are obliged to reply, so you may even get an interesting "conversation" going!

Points to address:

* Importance of Brown's Waterhole for cyclists and pedestrians, for both commuting and recreation.
* There is no alternative route of any kind.
* Duration and timing of the closure.
* The Vimiera Rd culdesac should not become a parking area for construction vehicles.
* Clear and safe access must be provided to the underpass from both sides.
* All temporary and permanent works must be well illuminated at night for the safety of cyclists and other path users.

Stand by for more info on the M2 construction on Bike North's website
(http://www.bikenorth.org.au).