"Andrew Lampert" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "chickasmith" <
[email protected]> writes:
>
>
> <snip>
>
> >Considering the school has been there for the best part of a few decades (dont actually know) and
> >in one instance, it is asked that you give back some property that cyclists and other 'unsavoury'
> >types just to have a 'trail' go through because of 'history', I think the right decision has
been
> >made.
>
> I strongly disagree with your statements here. For one, the land does NOT belong to the school (it
> is public land), so being asked to 'give it back'
is
> not quite the reality that you are (mis)representing.
>
> Bicycle Victoria has looked extensively at the issues involved. Below, I paraphrase some of their
> concerns.
>
> Despite the irresponsible claims by school Principal Bernard Dobson (that
you
> are simply parroting off here), that the trail would bring "paedophiles
and
> drug dealers" into Mt Lilydale College, an article in "The Age" newspaper has revealed that police
> from Lilydale and Warburton believe that the area around the school is safe.
>
> Evidence from cyclists and other trail users is that the trail is very
safe,
> especially as there are many users and no motor vehicles. My personal experience of riding the
> trail strongly supports this view. Regardless,
plans
> for the trail around Lilydale included a proposal for double fencing to separate the trail from
> the school grounds.
>
> International experience, especially from the US where the Rails to Trails Conservancy keeps
> statistics on more than 1,000 trails, shows they are usually safer than the areas through which
> they pass.
>
> More than 100 schools around Melbourne enjoy the benefits of having public trail access. Why is Mt
> Lilydale College so different?
>
> >Would you let a 'trail' go through your backyard, where not only cyclists would come through, but
> >anyone else? I'd think not ...
>
> Absolutely. I'm a strong advocate of public trails. If I were lucky enough
to
> have a railtrail pass through my backyard, I would be grateful for having
such
> easy access to it.
>
> Andrew
>
In full agreeance with Andrew.
--
Alan Erskine alanerskine(at)optusnet.com.au GWB the Ghengis Khan of the 21st Century