Comparing the town centre maps from TCCS between the years 2019 and 2022. Recently, all the CBR Cycle Route maps for the town centres were updated on the TCCS website. A good thing to be sure but how much has actually changed?
There are some additions to the path network but not many due to the glacial pace of cycle infrastructure developments in the ACT. TCCS has receded into a backroom in 2022 to redesign the path network yet again. Hopefully, something good will come out of this iteration. We face at least two years of delay until all the policies are updated and the construction of new cycle infrastructure begins to roll forward again.
Still, we must give TCCS credit for updating their maps. The maps from EPSDD for Canberra Nature Park have not been updated for over a decade.
Note that TCCS realigned some of the CBR Cycle Routes but do not announce the changes or explain the reasoning for it. One can assume they have a good reason but TCCS communication and consultation sucks.
Belconnen
The addition of the Belconnen Bikeway is noticeable along Emu Bank.
Lake Burley Griffin
The Civic to Woden Route has realigned around Capital Hill in an anticlockwise direction which is short. The intention now is to build a path straight up the hill from Commonwealth Bridge along the road corridor.
Weston
Nothing has changed in Weston. Nothing ever changes in Weston. The Heysen Street Link was a great step to improving the connectivity between Weston and Woden Town Centre and an achievement – albeit belated. Weston, however, lacks coherent cycle infrastructure north-south through the suburb. For a suburb that is relative flat and lies at the heart of Canberra south between Molonglo Valley and Kambah, Weston is screaming for a decent connection. The CBR Cycle Route C5 dog legs across Tuggeranong Parkway and climbs Mount Taylor only to descend again – madness.
Gungahlin
Gungahlin has stalled, awaiting yet another cycle of studies after the previous ones were largely ignored (see the newsletter from GCC, April 2022). The bike path along the grassland nature reserve has now been added.
Tuggeranong
The changes to Tuggeranong Town Centre are minor, however, the dedicated bike past the mall has been added.
Parliamentary Triangle
The Civic to Woden Route has realigned around Capital Hill in an anticlockwise direction, which is short. The intention now is to build a path straight up the hill from Commonwealth Bridge along the road corridor. Note too, that the C2 and LBG is realigned through the park at Kingston, moved from along the Lake Burley Griffin foreshore to run along the road corridor instead.
Civic
No changes in Civic. Interestingly, West Basin area has not been updated. We have plans approved by the NCA for this area but the map has not been updated.
Woden
The changes to Woden Town Centre are more numerous than any of the other maps and include the Heysen Street Link and the segregated cycle lane through the town centre.
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