Scrambling to Hurt Hobart Businesses

A majority of Hobart councillors voted to continue the
scramble crossing trial indefinitely. Why call these things a
trial? The outcomes are predetermined and never put in place
with local businesses in mind, just ideology.

Scramble crossing make no sense with our mainly one-way streets. They are a terribly inefficient way to aid in the flow of traffic and pedestrians, as shown by the extended travel times. But mission accomplished – fewer cars in the inner CBD and if they get their way with the loss of 49 car spaces for the Collins St bike lane “trial”, there will be fewer again.

I’m sure Clarence, Kingston and Glenorchy are more than happy to take the extra shoppers that are deterred from Hobart. I don’t see these cities actively deterring people from their CBDs.

The scrambles have showed we have 500 fewer cars passing through the shops and businesses of the inner CBD. The Collins St trial will also remove up to 500 cars from loss of onstreet parking.

So how many of those 1000 cars would have stopped and spent money Ideology doesn’t pay the bills.

Edwin Johnstone
Chair, Confederation of Greater Hobart Business