Melbourne Times: Have Your Say: City road tunnel protest

Community opposition to proposed East West tunnel under Royal Park
Melbourne Times: Have Your Say: City road tunnel protest. by Nic Price (11 April 2012)

Protesters gathered at Royal Park last week to show their opposition to the proposed east-west road tunnel.  Pic:  Steve Crabtree)

Community groups have joined forces to fight the proposed east-west road tunnel, which they say will devastate the inner suburbs. Representatives of Protectors of Public Lands Victoria (PPL) and the Royal Park Protection Group raised their concerns with Federal Government staff in Canberra last month.

They say the development will lead to the carving up of Royal Park, Holland Park and Travancore Park.

The State Government is currently assessing above and below ground routes for a road link between the Eastern Freeway, CityLink and the Western Ring Road.

RACV policy manager Brian Negus said the project was the missing link in the city’s transport network and would greatly reduce traffic congestion at the end of the Eastern Freeway and throughout the northern suburbs.

But Carlton Residents Association spokesman Ian Bird said it would wreak havoc with heritage and amenity along the route.

Melbourne federal Greens MP Adam Bandt said federal funding should be used to improve public transport, not create new roads.

Yarra Council has paid for a campaign group to fight the tunnel and is pushing for a Doncaster rail link instead.

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