River & Strathalbyn Road Traffic Group fund

We object strongly to the South Australian government's decision to divert heavy trucks (longer than 15 metres) down River Road and Strathalbyn Road, Mylor.

We are raising funds to fund our research and to make a case to prevent River Rd becoming a major trunk route. This entails paying a road engineer consultant, funding a engineering road safety audit and FOIs to SA Gov. fees. We are presenting a case to the minister and D.I.T for a proper bypass to be funded. We have a good continuing communication with HCA ( Handorf Community Association) and the Hahndorf Business Traders traffic committee.

Any funds collected will be spent only for this purpose.

OUR CASE:

Safety of cyclists, school children, pedestrians and residents in cars exiting property driveways is put at risk.

This decision is unacceptable on road safety and public amenity grounds, and goes against what was recommended by the traffic engineers Jacobs Report to the State Government in 2020.

Avoiding the destruction of habitat of local fauna is a really important consideration.

There is an urgent need for a long term solution to be implemented, by building a permanent and comprehensive bypass for the Hahndorf main street, diverting trucks and commuter vehicles to/from Echunga Road.

WHAT'S AT STAKE:

The River Road and Strathalbyn Road option will have a major impact on the environment, amenity and character of River Road from a quiet country tourist drive to a heavy vehicle corridor.

Many school children ride their bikes to Sidewood bus stop or walk home along River Road for access to buses to and from school. Clearly there is not a footpath anywhere on River Road so straddling the uneven road edge is necessary. Inserting heavy long trucks driving at speed on this winding, undulating, narrow road with frequent blind spots, in both directions will be the perfect set up for a tragedy to happen.

The most sensible upgrade that should be made to make the road safer as it is, would be the addition of a bicycle way/footpath.

Bend on River Road

River Road is a narrow, winding, scenic drive along the Onkaparinga River that is used by many cyclists, motorcyclists, Tour Down Under, and car rallies, etc. Additional such heavy vehicles being diverted in both directions along River Road will only make the road less safe.

Tour Down Under support vehicles on River Rd.

Obscured driveways, the winding nature of River Road, heavy cycling use, narrow corners, no formed verges, no intersection passing lanes,unsafe pulling out opportunities from driveways, limited bike and pedestrian passing opportunities etc. are all serious traffic risks, that would have to be addressed by the Government.

Potholes frequently develop because of flow of water under the road surface down to the river and the roads not sufficiently engineered to cope with the weight of heavy vehicles.

Truck drivers will bare the brunt of the decision and will undoubtedly be blamed when/if serious road accidents occur as a result of a decision by the South Australian Government.

On a single road, traffic travels at the speed of the slowest user. These large, articulated trucks are not going to be able to safely pass a bicycle on these roads.

"It’s the state of the roads. Hahndorf to Echunga road was widened 10 odd years ago to facilitate the heavy vehicles and extra traffic. These roads proposed are not suitable for constant heavy vehicle traffic." - A local transport operator and owner in the Adelaide Hills.

Cyclists on River Road

The Onkaparinga River is catchment for Adelaide's drinking water. There is a high risk of significant contamination and spillage in the event of a tanker accident, particularly when it is so close to the river for a significant length, and the risk is higher given that River Road is not originally designed for heavy vehicles.

Onkaparinga River

Emergency response to bushfire and flood.

During heavy winter rains, River Road gets inundated in many locations which in itself causes road safety issues.

Both Strathalbyn Road and River Road are lined by many mature trees which in case of bushfire could very easily fall across and block the roads. Again these long-heavy trucks would be unable to U-turn on these roads and would inhibit local traffic from exiting the area.

Cherry Gardens Bushfire from River Road

The Onkaparinga River is a corridor for native fauna such as kangaroos, koalas, ducks, turtles, birds of prey etc. There are farms with animals like cows, horses, deer, alpaca and sheep, and stray pets all of whom from time to time will be in real danger if they cross these roads.

Cows on River Road

Large (greater than 15m) trucks are not as nimble as smaller vehicles and take much longer to stop to avoid a collision with animals crossing.

How many trees, and potentially trees of significance, are going to have to be removed to straighten the roads out to make them wide enough for trucks to pass?

These trees, including old-growth trees with trunks over 3-metres in circumference, are all growing within the vegetation management zone specified by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport for the River Road and Strathalbyn Road upgrade. Therefore these plus others are all at risk of being cut down. This is an unacceptable cost to our natural heritage!

This plan does not consider the impact on residents along these roads and the environment. There has been no consultation with the residents of River Road and Strathalbyn Road about diverting heavy vehicles past their houses and it will certainly have a significant negative impact for them.

The additional traffic of heavy vehicles with heavy loads, travelling at speed along the river valley with engine noise along with brake noise, and the loud sound of tyres on the coarse bitumen surface would greatly disturb the peace of residents, as well as the bird and animal life.

Cockatoo perched in a Manna Gum

SUMMARY

Our serious objections to the proposal are explained above and we think a rational discussion and proper action is immediately necessary.

The River Road and Strathalbyn Road option is not a suitable interim measure and we seek to reverse this decision as soon as possible, otherwise, we end up being driven by short term political and band-aid solutions putting the community and environment at risk.

If we don't act now the Government will go ahead and implement this plan, against the wishes of the community, and it will have all negative impacts as described.

If it goes ahead as an interim measure, there is a danger that it is more likely to become permanent to justify the road upgrade. There will also be less incentive for the Government to find a better solution to Hahndorf’s traffic problems.

Once this special environment has been modified it will be very difficult to regain the significant loss to our natural heritage.

PLEASE SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS @ 'River Road & Strathalbyn Rd Traffic Group' Facebook page