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Council Motion on Mitchell's Pass Tonight
Just received this from Bicycle NSW
Blue Mountains City Councillor, Howard McCallum is putting a Notice of Motion to Council TONIGHT to propose that Council examine the possibility of keeping MITCHELLS PASS closed to motor vehicles, except in emergencies, to allow cyclists and walkers to use the road for downhill and uphill access between the Mountains and the Plains.
IT WILL BE ALL DOWNHILL FOR THIS VITAL LINK ONCE CARS & TRUCKS ARE ALLOWED BACK!!!
If you support cycling in the lower Mountains and want to be able to safely use Mitchells Pass in both directions, please contact as many of these Councillors TODAY to let them know you support Howard’s Notice of Motion.
Link to councillors
http://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/yourcouncil/councillors
or to cut and paste in all Councillor email addresses block select this
dmyles@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, thamilton@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, egibbs@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, jmays@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, asearle@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, cvanderkley@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, dclark@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, amclaren@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, bluchetti@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, fcreed@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, mgreenhill@bmcc.nsw.gov.au, hmccallum@bmcc.nsw.gov.au
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Howard McCallum's motion is Item 24
Since Mitchell’s Pass (below Lennox Bridge) has been closed following rock-falls, the
general populace has become used to not being able to access this road by car. At the
same time, a great many cyclists have taken advantage of the lack of vehicles on this road to
more safely negotiate their way between Blaxland/Glenbrook and Emu Plains, avoiding the
much more dangerous passages on the Great Western Highway and Old Bathurst Road.
Maintaining Mitchell’s Pass predominantly as a cycle track will provide a significant and safe
link between the mountains and the plains that currently does not exist. This will greatly
enhance the growth of cycling in the Blue Mountains as both a recreational and a commuting
activity, with all the attendant benefits for health and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
On those occasions when emergency or other conditions on the GWH or OBR restrict
movements, then Mitchell’s Pass would be opened for vehicular traffic (one-way, down-hill)
until the other issue was resolved.
As the funding for the geological stabilisation works have come from state government
emergency road repair funds, it needs to be determined if the road can be closed to general
vehicular traffic for the purpose of facilitating safer bicycle passage up and down this part of
the Blue Mountains.
This is great thinking!
It would be excellent especially since BMCC recently released "Cycling in the Blue Mountains" cycling map. Having a safe route up from Emu Plains to Blaxland that negates the need to take your life in your hands on either Lappo Hill or Old Bathurst Rd is a most exciting thought.
Would be good even if it was only interim until there was a safe alternative. Although it is ideal.
I'm am all supportive of this motion.
Email extract from Howard McCallum
Thanks Charles, but it was totally defeated last night - not even a seconder for the motion.
Back to the drawing board.
Cheers,
Howard
I couldn't get up there unfortunately. Email response was pretty much the same.
This is such a disappointment and shows that we are so far behind the rest of the world in encouraging alternative forms of transport.
I cannot believe that it didn't even get a seconder: where are the Greens councillors, where was Luchetti? I think what we have learnt is that the idea need not die here but a concerted action by a small group of people eg the respondents on this thread, could still see this idea get up.
Firstly, email McCallum thanking him. Then email the Greensand get up them for their bewildering lack of support. Email the Glenbrook Chamber of Commerce because adding links like Mitchells' Pass over time allows cycling routes to become commonly known, then popular and they become destinations for people that would increase the custom in the many businesses in the lower mountains.
My responce from Counsillor Daniel Myles, Blue Mountains City Council Mayor
Hello Tim,
Thank you for your email. I apologise for the delay in responding.
The Council is in the last stages of restoring Mitchell's Pass Road to
full, one-way vehicular access and it is our intention for it to
continue to operate as a link road. The Council received State
Government Natural Disaster funding totalling $353,000 over two
financial years after the February 5th, 2010 severe rain event. The work
to reopen the road is expected to be completed in 14 days.
I understand the point you are making however there are insufficient
points of exit and entry for road traffic from the lower Blue Mountains
to the Penrith area and the extra strain on the Great Western Highway
and Old Bathurst Road has been considerable and has lead to safety
concerns.
This was the case on 29th July this year when a truck overturned whilst
heading down Lapstone Hill. The resulting chaos saw travel times of up
to 40 minutes from Mt. Riverview to Penrith. Mitchell's Pass Road is an
integral part of the road network not just for the Glenbrook/Blaxland
area but for motorists from further up the Mountains.
I regret that I am unable to assist you in this matter.
Kind Regards,
Daniel Myles
Clr Daniel Myles
Mayor
Blue Mountains City Council
Hey TIM I got the exact same email. Today.