The plan has angered traders.Credit:Michael Clayton-Jones
The Napthine government has proposed turning route 96 between St Kilda and East Brunswick into an end-to-end light rail route that is separate from road traffic,by removing hundreds of on-street parking spaces. Fifty high-capacity E-Class trams,the first two of which entered service on Monday,will run along route 96,which carried almost 17 million people in 2011-12.
The route 96 project is aimed at improving tram reliability and efficiency,by removing the possibility of trams getting stuck in traffic bottlenecks. Tram stops along the route will be turned into level access stops for people with disabilities.
But traders are alarmed at the potential loss of on-street parking along Acland Street,and the street's possible closure to through traffic to widen the tram terminus at the intersection of Barkly Street,saying business will suffer. Parking spaces would also be removed on Nicholson Street in Brunswick East at the tram route's northern end.
“If this proposal succeeds,we believe it will be the death of Acland Street as we know it,” said Chris Hickey,president of the St Kilda Village traders group.
Mr Hickey said state authority Public Transport Victoria had not considered the impact the changed traffic conditions would have on local shops.
"There has been no consideration for how the absence of parking spaces in Acland Street will influence visitors,especially people with disability and parents with prams who prefer to drive,"Mr Hickey said.