Parking shortage hits the wild west Author: By MARIO CHRISTODOULOU Date: 08/08/2007 Publication: Illawarra Mercury
THE sick and the elderly are being forced to walk long distances, up and down steep hills and along goat tracks due to parking shortages near Wollongong Hospital, a new report has revealed.
The study, commissioned by Wollongong City Council and presented at Monday night's council meeting, describes parking conditions which are at best inadequate and at worst potentially dangerous.
Confusing road markings, poor street lighting, crumbling footpaths, trip hazards, inadequate bus shelters and poor provision of cycleways, are but some of the issues raised in the study.
"With the exception of Crown St, Gladstone Ave and the southern side of Throsby Dr, there is a general lack of footpaths in Garden Hill. Numerous clear goat tracks indicate pedestrian desire lines," the report reads.
"The few footpaths that exist have significant deficiencies in their provision of kerb ramps, in terms of whether these exist.
"The quality of facilities does not encourage public transport use ... there are no effective traffic-calming devices."
Consequently, patients and regular users of the hospital frequently struggle to find a spot and must hike up hills along the roadside or on deteriorating footpaths.
The report attributes the problems in part to the provision of parking for the hospital's 2000 staff, who are offered discounted parking rates of $2.50 in the frequently overcrowded 600-space parking station.
Visitors - who must pay $8.80 for use of the parking station - comprise just 10 per cent of actual users.
The report suggests the hospital offer incentives for workers who either car share, ride a bicycle or walk to work. Similar schemes have resulted in car use reductions of about 20 per cent.
The report also recommends line-marked parking places, a reduction in driveway sizes, the improvement of footpaths and new bus shelters.
The report will form part of Wollongong City Council's plan for parking and movement around the city and will be on exhibition for 28 days. To make a submission contact the council on 4227 7100.
THE PROBLEMS
? On-street parking is mostly unmarked
? No effective traffic calming devices
? Lack of road markings
? Poor footpaths and numerous "goat tracks"
? Limited street lighting
? Cars parked on lawns blocking footpath
? No cycleways and poor bus stops
THE SOLUTIONS
? Make streets one way with angle parking
? Build four-seater bus stops
? Introduce cycle paths
? Introduce paid on-street parking
? Reduce driveway sizes
? Improve and in some cases build footpaths and street crossings