By Catherine Watson
AFTER 10 years of cantankerous debate, the third and final stage of Inverloch’s beachside pathway is cleared for take off. Like everything else to do with this bedevilled path, the solution won’t please everyone – or possibly anyone.
The Inverloch Tourism Association wants more car parking spaces, and Surf Parade residents are unlikely to be happy as the stretch of Surf Parade between Ozone Street and Goroke Streetbecomes one-way.
AFTER 10 years of cantankerous debate, the third and final stage of Inverloch’s beachside pathway is cleared for take off. Like everything else to do with this bedevilled path, the solution won’t please everyone – or possibly anyone.
The Inverloch Tourism Association wants more car parking spaces, and Surf Parade residents are unlikely to be happy as the stretch of Surf Parade between Ozone Street and Goroke Streetbecomes one-way.
But councillors at Wednesday’s council meeting concluded that the time for talking was over. The path has been discussed, approved, delayed, debated and queried since 2014 and the community has been through repeated rounds of consultation, most recently late last year.
While there was overwhelming community support for incorporating a path, car parking and two way traffic, as in the first two stages, this was no longer possible once the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action decreed that no coastal vegetation could be removed for the project.
In the limited space available, you could have two of the elements but you couldn’t have all three. For many people – and councillors – it was Sophie’s choice, but in the end the councillors were unanimous. They opted for the path and car parking and to remove a lane of traffic.
While there was overwhelming community support for incorporating a path, car parking and two way traffic, as in the first two stages, this was no longer possible once the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action decreed that no coastal vegetation could be removed for the project.
In the limited space available, you could have two of the elements but you couldn’t have all three. For many people – and councillors – it was Sophie’s choice, but in the end the councillors were unanimous. They opted for the path and car parking and to remove a lane of traffic.
Cr Brett Tessari acknowledged the traffic change would not be welcomed by the affected residents. “Change does cause grief but I’m sure we can work together to come up with a solution that’s going to be fitting.”
And he pointed to the Esplanade in Cowes where a section of the road was altered to one-way. “It’s worked fantastically and it’s become a really nice little stretch, room to walk or ride and the cars can still travel it.”
Moving the motion to adopt the one-way option, Cr Leticia Laing said more work would be done to fine tune parking solutions and traffic treatment. But she said it was clear through extended consultations that the priority for most people was the path.
“The majority of people want to get the path done. This has always been the priority so when young families get out of the car adults don’t have to anxiously supervise to get to the beach. Nor do people with a disability or accessibility limitations have to walk along a very dangerous road.
Several councillors referred to the project’s vexed history. “If we can’t land it today it’s time to park the project and move on to somewhere else,” Cr Michael Whelan said.
Funding for the final stage of the path has been available for the past five years. It’s now eroded to the point where it will have to be topped up in the 2025-26 budget.
The pathway is expected to be complete by 2026, subject to funding.
And he pointed to the Esplanade in Cowes where a section of the road was altered to one-way. “It’s worked fantastically and it’s become a really nice little stretch, room to walk or ride and the cars can still travel it.”
Moving the motion to adopt the one-way option, Cr Leticia Laing said more work would be done to fine tune parking solutions and traffic treatment. But she said it was clear through extended consultations that the priority for most people was the path.
“The majority of people want to get the path done. This has always been the priority so when young families get out of the car adults don’t have to anxiously supervise to get to the beach. Nor do people with a disability or accessibility limitations have to walk along a very dangerous road.
Several councillors referred to the project’s vexed history. “If we can’t land it today it’s time to park the project and move on to somewhere else,” Cr Michael Whelan said.
Funding for the final stage of the path has been available for the past five years. It’s now eroded to the point where it will have to be topped up in the 2025-26 budget.
The pathway is expected to be complete by 2026, subject to funding.