RE YOUR 7 May article from the council meeting regarding contributions by residents toward road paving, footpaths and drainage to McBride Road, Upper Beaconsfield.
Although the council used this meeting as a tool to proceed with the road etcetera, we would like our right of reply as to the errors contained in that article.
There has never been a landslide in McBride Road in the 32 years I have been a resident, nor any movement from the Salisbury Gully side.
The degree of work/cost going into this road for only 16 homes, when there are “through” roads in areas taking very heavy traffic, which have multiple residents compared to that of McBride road.
The two councillors making statements have probably never seen this pretty roadway from below Salisbury Gully and made statements such as the landslide and to quote Cr Lempriere: “No other objection to this plan has been received, so should be considered an approval of the scheme.” This is absolute rubbish, as at any one time residents are away, or moving in this area and we do not have any confirmation from council that contacted all residents.
We made our objection to the design of the road. If carried out as presently designed there are two areas of “no sighting” cars coming into or out of McBride Road, right in front of the pre-kinder school, causing great danger to the children.
No answer was ever received as to any change to be made to plans.
It was also suggested that money could be saved if the section covering the roadway from Salisbury Gully was left unmade, draining water underneath into the gully. This is almost half of the proposed paving area and, as no houses abut it, is not necessary.
This is a semi-rural area which has been a pleasant place to live, the roadway frequently used by horse riding groups and walkers.
I feel this article is inappropriate as council seems hell-bent in proceeding without regard to our suggestions, as we received a registered letter the next day stating that this levy was to be made over our property. Concrete and bitumen will never replace the attractive environment it is now, that is why we moved up here 32 years ago.
Wilma Hardy,
Upper Beaconsfield.