New push to link bike paths

Connecting communities with bike paths will be a major focus of the Capel Shire Council’s over the next four years.

Capel shire chief executive officer Paul Sheedy said the Local Bike Plan 2016 would complement the council’s adopted path strategy plan to renew existing paths and link communities between Capel and Dalyellup.

“The plan identifies linking Dalyellup to Peppermint Grove Beach through to Capel in the long term,” Mr Sheedy said.

“As this would be a very costly project it would require State funding, but we couldn’t apply for State funding without this bike path plan,” he said.

“Firstly we will start with smaller projects in the centre of town and work on paths that need upgrading.

“It is important the plan addresses the renewal of paths but it’s also important we provide good connections to schools, key infrastructure and shopping centres.”

The plan was funded by the Department of Transport and the council, totalling $27,900.

Engineering and development services executive manager Jason Gick said renewing the path network in Dalyellup had a long way to go.

“The plan will help the future strategy and build on the path plan,” Mr Gick said.

“We have a much greater demand on roads now than we did before.” Cr Peter McCleery was concerned how the paths would be used, whether it was for pedestrians or cyclists.

He said a lot of maintenance planning needed to be undertaken to develop more paths in the shire.

The bike plan includes a schedule of works to compliment the Adopted Path Strategy 2013-2018 and Program of Works – Paths 2016-2020 to make sure all projects identify appropriate expenditure.